Winter Storm Watch
WINTER STORM WATCH IN EFFECT FROM TUESDAY EVENING THROUGH THURSDAY AFTERNOON...
WHAT...Heavy snow possible. Total snow accumulations of greater than 12 inches possible. Winds could gust as high as 45 mph and lead to areas of blowing snow, blizzard conditions possible.
WHERE...Portions of central, east central, south central, southeast and west central Minnesota and northwest and west central Wisconsin.
WHEN...From Tuesday evening through Thursday afternoon.
IMPACTS...Travel could be very difficult to impossible. Areas of blowing snow could significantly reduce visibility. The hazardous conditions could impact the morning or evening commutes. The cold wind chills as low as 20 below zero could cause frostbite on exposed skin in as little as 30 minutes.
ADDITIONAL DETAILS...There will be two main waves of this event. The first Tuesday evening through Wednesday morning will see totals of 4 to 8 inches of snow. There will be a lull before snow picks up again Wednesday evening where an additional 8 or more inches of snow could fall.
A Little Snow Monday
Here's the weather outlook through early next week, which shows a clipper system moving across the northern part of the state. Snowfall amounts will be greater across the northern part of the state.
Snowfall Potential
Snowfall tallies across the northern part of Minnesota could be in the 2" to 5" range with heavier tallies for some. South of Hwy 210, amounts will be less with this clipper system.
Heavy Snowfall This Week
Heavy and impactful snowfall is expected this week across much of central Minnesota. There is a greater than 80% chance of exceeding warning criteria in the purple color below.
Extended Temperature Outlook
The NBM extended temperature outlook for Minneapolis over the next several days shows milder weather lingering through Monday with highs warming into the mid 30s. It gets colder through the rest of the week with highs in the 10s and 20s as a major disruptive storm system moves through the region. We'll gradually warm into the 20s and 30s this weekend and early next week.
Snow Depth
As of Saturday, February 18th, the MSP Airport still had 4" of snow on the ground, which is much lower than it was earlier this week before Tuesday's rain. There is still nearly 1ft to 2ft of snow across parts of northern Minnesota, Wisconsin and the UP of Michigan.
Seasonal Snowfall
Taking a look at snowfall since July 1st, many locations have seen above average amounts so far this season, but folks from near Sioux Falls to the Twin Cities and towards Duluth are nearly 15" to 25" above average this month. 55.6" of snow has fallen at the MSP Airport, which is the 11th snowiest start to any season on record.
Twin Cities Weather Outlook For Monday
The weather outlook for the Twin Cities on Monday, February 20th will be mild once again with highs warming into the mid/upper 30s. We'll also have breezy winds as a clipper system pushes through the state with a wintry mix possible. There could be a minor coating of snow in the Twin Cities, but the heaviest will be found across the northern half of the state.
Weather Outlook on Monday
Temps across the region on Monday will warm into the 30s across much of the southern two-thirds of the state, which will be nearly +5 to +10F above average. Meanwhile, folks across northern Minnesota will only warm into the 10s and 20s, which will be slightly below average with areas of accumulating snow.
Meteograms For Minneapolis
The weather outlook for the Twin Cities through the day Monday shows temps starting in the low 20s, but will warm into the mid/upper 30s. South to southwesterly winds will be quite strong with gusts approaching 30mph in the afternoon. A light wintry mix will be possible with a minor coating of snow possible through the day.
Hourly Feels Like Temps
It'll be a little chilly Monday morning with feels like temps in the lower teens, but feels like temps will be in the mid 20s in the afternoon.
Weather Outlook
Weather conditions will be very active in the Central US this week with a clipper system moving through northern Minnesota on Monday. The bigger story will be the large and impactful storm system PM Tuesday to PM Thursday across the Midwest. Areas of very heavy snow and wind will be possible, which will likely cause major travel issues this week.
Extended Temperature Outlook For Minneapolis
After a very mild weekend, temps will still be mild on Monday with highs warming into the mid/upper 30s. The rest of the week will active with heavy snow and strong winds and colder temperatures. Readings later this week will only warm into the 10s, which will be nearly -15F below average for mid/late February.
Extended Weather Outlook For Minneapolis
The week ahead will be quite busy with several snow chances. A clipper system moves through Monday with a wintry mix in the Twin Cities and breezy winds. Late Tuesday into AM Wednesday our first round of accumulating snow arrives, but the heavier band arrives PM Wednesday into Thursday. Total accumulations could exceed 12" in the metro with strong winds and blowing snow. It'll be a colder end of week with temps only warming into the 10s, which will be much cooler than average.
8 to 14 Day Temperature Outlook
According to NOAA's Climate Prediction Center, the 8 to 14 day temperature outlook shows cooler than average temperatures lingering across the Western US. Meanwhile, the Southern US will warm to above average levels.
8 to 14 Day Precipitation Outlook
According to NOAA's Climate Prediction Center, the 8 to 14 Day precipitation outlook shows more active weather in place across much the Western US and across the Midwest/Great Lakes.
Storms This Week May Spark Extreme Snow Amounts
By Paul Douglas
I'm running out of snowflake symbols for my weather maps. First world problem.
It was too mild, too dry and too quiet for too long, and a restless, woozy Old Man Winter is about to awaken from hibernation and remind us who's boss.
We are tracking 2 weather systems: a plowable snowfall from Tuesday PM into early Wednesday, and then a second, potentially crippling storm Wednesday night into Thursday. Pick a weather model. How much snow would you like to shovel? 12"? 20"? The European model hints at some 30" totals by Friday close to home, and we can't rule out that scenario. It's always perilous trying to predict where the axis of heaviest snow will set up 3 days in advance.
By the end of the week some towns will have seen a total of 10-20". And I don't use the "crippling" terminology lightly. With temperatures in the teens, Thursday's snow will be powdery and prone to drifting. White-out conditions are very possible.
This will be a dangerous week for travel, especially central and southern MN and WI.
Extended Forecast
MONDAY: Slushy coating. Winds: W 15-30. High: 35.
MONDAY NIGHT: Mostly cloudy & breezy. Winds: WNW 15-30. Low: 12.
TUESDAY: Snow returns. 4-7" PM hours. Winds: E 7-12. High: 22.
WEDNESDAY: Snow tapers a bit - slow travel. Winds: NE 15-30. Wake-up: 19. High: 21.
THURSDAY: Another 10+ snow? Blowing/drifting. Winds: NE 20-40. Wake-up: 9. High: 15.
FRIDAY: Peeks of sun, coldest day. Winds: S 3-8. Wake-up: -5. High: 10.
SATURDAY: Patchy clouds, quiet. Winds: SW 7-12. Wake-up: 7 High: 21.
SUNDAY: Partly sunny, feeling better. Winds: S 8-13. Wake-up: 13. High: 32.
This Day in Weather History
February 20th
1981: Due to the long spell of warm weather in the 60s, a farmer near Le Center is plowing some alfalfa ground.
Average High/Low for Minneapolis
February 20th
Average High: 30F (Record: 57F set in 1981)
Average Low: 15F (Record: -20F set in 1889)
Record Rainfall: 0.85" set in 2011
Record Snowfall: 11.8" set in 2011
Sunrise/Sunset Times for Minneapolis
February 20th
Sunrise: 7:05am
Sunset: 5:47pm
Hours of Daylight: ~10 hours & 42 minutes
Daylight GAINED since yesterday: +3 Minutes & 00 Seconds
Daylight GAINED since Winter Solstice (December 21st): ~ 2 hour & 4 minutes
Moon Phase for February 20th at Midnight
1.0 Day Since New Moon
National High Temps on Monday
Temperatures on Monday will be very mild across much of the eastern two-thirds of the nation with readings nearly +10F to +20F above average for many locations. Note that widespread record warmth will be likely in the Southern/Southeastern US several days here through the end of the month.
National Weather Outlook Monday
The weather outlook for Monday will still be somewhat quiet across much of the nation. We'll see areas of snow across the northern tier of the nation on Monday, but things really get interesting Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday.
National Weather Outlook
Areas of snow will develop across the northern tier of the nation on Monday with a much larger storm developing Tuesday through Thursday. This midweek storm will be responsible for heavy snow, strong winds and even some severe weather.
Extended Precipitation Outlook
According to NOAA's Weather Prediction Center, the extended precipitation outlook shows heavier amounts across the Ohio Valley this week with showers and storms, some of which could be strong to severe. The Midwest could see a heap of snow, while heavy precipitation will also be possible across parts of the Western US.
Snowfall Potential
According to the ECMWF (European model), heavy snow will be found across much of the high elevations in the Western US. Parts of the Midwest and Great Lakes could be dealing with significant snowfall next week. Stay tuned...
Climate Stories
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See more from New Scientist HERE:
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"Was Earth already heating up, or did global warming reverse a long-term cooling trend?"
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