ST. PAUL, Minn. – Using his peacetime emergency powers, Governor Tim Walz ordered the National Guard to pre-position equipment for a monster storm expected to arrive in the evening. Walz also told commanders to prepare soldiers to be activated. Other state agencies, including the Department of Transportation and the Department of Public Safety, were told to expect the worst. Forecasters were likening the incoming storm to the Great Halloween Blizzard of 1991, which dumped 30 inches of snow in places.
Winona forecast
The National Weather Service put southeast Minnesota under a winter weather advisory until 6 a.am., Wednesday, and then again for a second wave at noon and through 6 p.m., Thursday. Three to five inches of snow were predicted for Winona County in the first assault and then a full foot in a second assault.