Winter and spring to clash this weekend

By TIM HARLOW, Star Tribune

Last update: April 25, 2008 - 4:33 PM

While many of us are longing for spring, its arrival will be delayed by another spring storm that will bring 6 inches of snow or more to a large area of western and northern Minnesota tonight and Saturday. A foot of snow is possible in some places, the National Weather Service said.

Residents in the Twin Cities won't be white free, either, as up to 1 inch of snow could fall tonight, the National Weather Service said.

A Winter Storm Warning is in effect this afternoon into Saturday morning for an area from Fergus Falls north to the Canadian Border and west to Brainerd, Hibbing and Ely. As much in at 8 to 14 inches of snow could fall in Koochiching, Itasca and northern Cass counties, the Weather Service said.

Elsewhere in Minnesota, a Winter Weather Advisory goes into effect at 10 a.m. for counties in western and west central Minnesota as the latest weathermaker brings rain, freezing rain, sleet and heavy snow to places such as Alexandria, Morris, Benson, Granite Falls and Willmar.

Along with the 3 to 6 inches of snow expected to fall in these areas, it will feel like winter as blustery winds blowing at up to 40 miles per hour will create reduced visibilities will accompany temperatures in the 30s and low 40s, the Weather Service said.

Lesser amounts of snow are expected in far southwestern and northwestern Minnesota where a Snow Advisory is in effect for today.

Precipitation will be mostly in the form of rain over the Twin Cities, southeastern Minnesota and western Wisconsin. Between 1/2 and 1 1/2 inches of rain could cause local rivers, creeks and streams to rise, with minor flooding possible in western Wisconsin, the Weather Service said.

The clash between winter and spring will continue with wet and cloudy condition persisting through Sunday. Snow is possible Sunday night in the Twin Cities. Spring will attempt a return by Monday and Tuesday with highs in the 50s, with low 60s expected by Wednesday and Thursday, the Weather Service said.