Ice Storm Warning: ice storm warning shutters schools, sparks outages across Minnesota and Northeast Wisconsin
An ice storm warning arrived for parts of the Upper Midwest as snow, sleet and freezing rain glazed roads and power lines, disrupting travel and forcing school delays and closures during the morning of April 2, 2026 ET. Ice and a wintry mix created hazardous driving conditions that left at least one person dead in a crash on Interstate 43 and produced scattered power outages. Emergency and transportation officials warned residents to avoid nonessential travel as lines iced over and roads became slick.
Ice Storm Warning: Immediate impacts
Snow, sleet and freezing rain are glazing roads and power lines with ice, creating poor driving conditions and outages across portions of Minnesota and Northeast Wisconsin as of the morning of April 2, 2026 ET. In Northeast Wisconsin, most roads were wet with rain falling in many areas, while locations west of the Fox Valley experienced freezing rain and sleet that made roads slick and northern parts of the region reported accumulating snow. Due to icing, some power outages were already underway.
Roads, schools and a fatal crash
Travel was treacherous on key corridors: one crash on an icy Interstate 43 claimed the life of an Ashwaubenon man. Numerous schools reported delays and closings in response to the deteriorating conditions. A storm chaser checked road conditions during the morning commute on April 2, 2026 ET to assess slick spots and visibility for commuters. Authorities emphasized that wet, icy and snowy patches could appear suddenly where the precipitation type changed over short distances.
Forecast and what’s next
The wintry mix is expected to warm across the area, turning to rain showers around 10 a. m. ET, with scattered thunderstorms possible Thursday evening ET as temperatures rise. Officials cautioned that the transition to rain may temporarily improve some road surfaces but could also increase runoff and stress already iced power lines before warmer air reduces freezing on contact. Residents were advised to monitor local emergency channels for outage restoration notices and school updates through the day.
As crews work to clear ice-coated roads and restore power, officials say conditions will change through the afternoon and into Thursday evening ET; communities should prepare for travel impacts during the transition and remain alert to updates tied to the ice storm warning.
