Freezing Rain Causes Glaze of Ice and Dozens of Crashes Across Twin Cities Metro
Published: February 19, 2026.
TWIN CITIES, MINNESOTA - A brief but impactful band of light freezing rain and snow created hazardous travel conditions across much of central and eastern Minnesota Tuesday morning, February 24, 2026, prompting the National Weather Service to first issue a Special Weather Statement and later upgrade the alert to a Winter Weather Advisory.
Special Weather Statement Upgraded to Winter Weather Advisory
Around 6:45 a.m., forecasters warned that a light wintry mix of freezing rain and snow would move across the region for about an hour, potentially creating slick spots on untreated roads and surfaces. Icy conditions were expected through 9 a.m. across western and central Minnesota and from 9 a.m. to noon across eastern Minnesota and west-central Wisconsin. Motorists were urged to slow down and prepare for variable travel conditions during the morning commute.
By approximately 9:30 a.m., the National Weather Service Twin Cities office upgraded the alert to a Winter Weather Advisory through 1 p.m. for icy roads caused by light freezing rain. Forecasters emphasized that even a light glaze of ice could create hazardous driving conditions, particularly during the peak of the Tuesday morning commute.
According to the NWS Twin Cities office, a narrow band of light freezing rain moved across the area, producing up to one-eighth inch of ice accumulation in some locations. While the total liquid amount was minimal, freezing rain quickly adhered to roadways due to supercooled ground temperatures.
Statewide Crash Numbers Climb
Between 5 a.m. and 11 a.m. on February 24, the Minnesota State Patrol reported:
128 property-damage crashes
14 injury crashes
1 fatal crash
6 spin-outs
32 vehicles off the road
16 jackknifed semi-trucks
The active 511 traffic map showed widespread incidents across the metro and surrounding areas during the height of the freezing rain.
Dakota County and South Metro Impacts
In Dakota County and the southern Twin Cities metro, several crashes were reported throughout the morning.
In Burnsville, eastbound County Road 42 was temporarily closed between I-35W and Nicollet Avenue due to icy conditions until public works crews could apply additional salt. In Eagan, a two-vehicle injury crash occurred on eastbound Cliff Road at the northbound Highway 77 exit ramp, blocking the left lane. Just west of that location, a semi-truck hauling two trailers became stuck on the incline of the Cliff Road bridge over Highway 77, blocking the right westbound lane.
You can watch a video from the scene of these incidents at the top of this article.
Additional injury crashes were reported in West St. Paul and Hastings.
Northwest Metro Also Hit Hard
Across the northwest Twin Cities metro, from Rogers to Monticello, multiple crashes were reported, including several jackknifed semi-trucks.
With pavement temperatures well below freezing from the overnight cold, even a light glaze was enough to create treacherous driving conditions. The freezing rain instantly bonded to surfaces, especially untreated bridges and overpasses, resulting in several wrecks and a treacherous late morning commute.
Conditions Improved Quickly
By late morning, conditions began improving rapidly. The band of precipitation shifted southeast into Wisconsin, leaving southern Minnesota precipitation-free.
Temperatures rose into the mid-30s, and sunshine helped to quickly melt much of the glaze.
Although the icing event was short-lived, the morning’s crash totals serve as a reminder of how quickly conditions can deteriorate when freezing rain develops, especially after prolonged cold temperatures.
Written by: Will Wight
