A major winter storm is set to bring significant snow and wind to parts of Minnesota and Wisconsin this weekend.

NWS warns heavy snow, ice and strong winds will batter nine states, urging people to stay indoors until conditions improve.

The National Weather Service has issued Blizzard Warnings across seven states as one of the most significant late-season winter storms in years deepens rapidly and churns toward the Great Lakes. This system has the characteristics of a bomb cyclone,

Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz has signed an executive order authorizing the National Guard to support emergency operations for a winter storm expected late Saturday into Sunday.

Parts of 16 states have been placed under winter storm warnings, blizzard warnings, and winter storm watches.