Weather Closings & Delays for Tuesday, March 17th, 2026

A powerful winter storm dumped more than a foot of snow across parts of Southeast Minnesota over the weekend.  While some towns only saw a few inches, areas around Rochester were buried under 17 inches or more of heavy snow.

The storm created serious travel problems across the state.  I-35 was shut down in parts of Minnesota and Iowa.  Between Friday and Sunday, the Minnesota State Patrol stated that at least 651 vehicles went off the road.

READ MORE: Lake City Firefighters Battle Blaze During Heavy Snowfall

Travel remained difficult and dangerous in different areas throughout southeast Minnesota on Monday, March 16th, 2026, which caused the majority of schools in the area to close for the day.

With cleanup now underway, road conditions are still difficult in some areas.  As of 9:00 pm on Monday, most of the roads in Southeast Minnesota on the 511mn.org site are listed as completely covered.

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Due to the severity of the storm that hit Southeast Minnesota over the weekend, some schools in the region have already cancelled classes or announced late starts for Tuesday, March 17th, 2026.  See the updated list below.

Here are the school closings, delays, and other cancellations across the Rochester and Southern Minnesota area for Tuesday, March 17th, 2026:

Dover-Eyota Public Schools — Two hours late on Tuesday

Fillmore Central Public Schools - Opening late Tuesday, 2 hours.  SAC and Daycare will be open. No morning Prek.

Grand Meadow Public Schools - Opening late Tuesday, 2 hours. No AM Pre-school, No AM SAC, Daycare open 9:00 am.

Immanuel Lutheran Schools, Plainview - Closed Tuesday

Kingsland Public Schools - Delayed Tuesday, 2 hours. No AM Preschool, SACC Open at 5:30 am

Lake City Public Schools - Two hours late on Tuesday. Childcare will open at 7:00.  No AM Preschool.

Lake Mills Community School - Opening late Tuesday 2 hours

LeRoy-Ostrander Public School - Opening late Tuesday, 2 hours

Lyle Public School - Opening late Tuesday, 2 hours. No morning Prek

North Iowa Community Schools - Closed Tuesday

Plainview Elgin Millville Schools - Virtual Learning Tuesday

Southland Public Schools - Opening late Tuesday, 2 hours. No AM preschool.

St. Johns Lutheran School, Wykoff - Opening late Tuesday, 2 hours. Eagle care will be open at 7 am.

Stewartville Public Schools - CLOSED TUESDAY (flex learning day)

Wabasha Kellogg Schools - 2 hours late on Tuesday

This list will be updated throughout the day as additional announcements are received.