The season’s first significant snowfall is poised to arrive in Minnesota just ahead of the Thanksgiving travel rush, abruptly ending a mild period that included record-setting warmth on Sunday.
A winter storm watch is in effect from Tuesday morning through late Tuesday night north of a line from Morris in western Minnesota to near St. Cloud to Mora and into northern Wisconsin, the National Weather Service said.
“Snow rates could exceed 0.5 inches per hour at times leading to quick accumulations favoring central Minnesota,” the Weather Service said.
Winds gusting as high as 35 to 40 mph late Tuesday into Wednesday could lead to reduced visibility, the Weather Service added.
The storm will begin as rain early Tuesday and transition to snow by the evening. Winds will increase up to 40 mph by then as well, with snow lasting until Wednesday morning. Blowing snow will affect drivers.
In a social media post Monday, the Weather Service said “the best advice we can give,” especially for those traveling north of the Twin Cities, is to leave Tuesday morning or wait until Wednesday afternoon.
The metro has a 47% chance of seeing 2 inches of snow or more; the odds rise 60% to 80% in central and northern Minnesota.
The instant blast of winter comes after record warmth Sunday. The Twin Cities set a new mark for Nov. 23 when the mercury hit 56 degrees; the old record was 55 in 1905. St. Cloud also hit 56, besting the 53 that stood since 2021 and 2006.
