Minnesota wake-up call: Snow of varying depths is imminent

Minnesotans, lulled by an awesome autumn, are about to be reminded that it's time to adjust one's attitude based on latitude.

Depending on one factor — location — snow of various depths is in Friday's forecast.

Blizzard conditions are predicted by the National Weather Service (NWS) across the state's midsection starting Friday morning, from Redwood Falls to St. Cloud and continuing east to Lake Mille Lacs.

But for those above or below that horizontal path, the NWS had this to say Thursday in its "urgent" winter weather advisory: "Any slight deviation in the expected storm track will result in significant snowfall forecast changes."

Xcel Energy, the state's leading provider of electricity, said in a statement Thursday that its "crews and equipment are on standby at service centers throughout the metro area and greater Minnesota when severe weather approaches to quickly and safely restore electric service."

The nuts and bolts of the numbers say snowfall will start Friday morning and last most of the day across central Minnesota — north of the Twin Cities — where 6 to 12 inches can be expected by nightfall, the Weather Service predicted.

The blizzard part comes into play with anticipated winds of 50 to 60 miles per hour.

"Travel will become very difficult or impossible," the NWS said.

In the Twin Cities, the forecast is for 1 to 2 inches, with most of that falling noon to 6 p.m. Friday.

"Plan on slippery road conditions," the Weather Service advisory reads, "including during the evening commute on Friday."

Wind gusts in the metro area could reach 55 mph.

Paul Walsh • 612-673-4482