Midwest, U.S. – A powerful weekend snowstorm tore through large parts of the Midwest, knocking out electricity to hundreds of thousands of homes and businesses while triggering dangerous travel conditions and multi-vehicle crashes across major highways. The storm, named Ezra by The Weather Channel, brought heavy snow, strong winds, and rapidly deteriorating road conditions across several states.
Michigan and Ohio See Widespread Power Outages
As of midday Monday, Michigan reported the highest number of power outages in the region, with more than 110,000 customers without electricity. In Ohio, roughly 35,000 homes and businesses also lost power as strong winds and heavy snowfall battered utility infrastructure.
Outage figures were tracked by PowerOutage.us, which showed widespread disruptions across multiple Midwest states as the storm moved through the region.
Major Highway Closures and Multi-Vehicle Crashes
The winter storm created hazardous driving conditions, leading to multiple crashes and long-term road closures. In northern Iowa, a collision involving as many as 14 vehicles occurred Sunday along Interstate 35 amid blowing snow and reduced visibility.
By Monday, that section of I-35 remained closed from Ames to the Minnesota state line — a stretch of highway spanning nearly 100 miles — as crews worked to clear snow and address safety concerns.
Minnesota Activates National Guard as Snow Piles Up
In Minnesota, Gov. Tim Walz authorized the National Guard to assist with emergency winter storm operations. Snow totals in parts of the state reached up to 7 inches, including areas near the Twin Cities, further complicating travel and response efforts.
Farther north, snowfall totals increased significantly. Portions of northern Wisconsin reported up to a foot of snow, while Michigan’s Upper Peninsula recorded as much as 24 inches — among the highest totals seen so far from the storm.
Dangerous Travel and Bitter Cold Ahead
Authorities across the region warned that driving conditions remain treacherous, particularly for those returning home from holiday travel or commuting to work. Motorists are urged to reduce speeds, allow extra travel time, and check local road conditions for closures before heading out.
Behind the snowstorm, a sharp cold front is expected to move in, bringing dangerous wind chills to the Northern Plains. The same system is also set to cool parts of the South that have experienced unusually warm temperatures since Christmas, signaling a dramatic shift in weather conditions as the week begins.
