Another Messy Storm Tuesday & Wednesday
Forecast loop from 7 AM Tuesday to 7 PM Wednesday.
We've got another winter storm on our doorstep as we head into Tuesday and Wednesday across the region - but the greatest impacts from this one will be north and west of the Twin Cities. Stepping through the storm:
- Tuesday: Snow will already have started by sunrise across portions of central and southern Minnesota. As we head through the morning to the midday hours, additional precipitation will start to move across southern and central Minnesota. The temperature profile will once again determine precipitation type. While Rochester and the Twin Cities will likely start as mostly rain, we could see a mix of precipitation (rain/snow/sleet/freezing rain) set up just northwest of the Twin Cities during the early afternoon hours. Areas from Pipestone to Little Falls (possibly St. Cloud, depending on exactly where the band of freezing precipitation sets up) to the North Shore will have the best potential for more significant icing between Tuesday and Wednesday. North of that, snow - some of it quite heavy - will fall. Snowfall rates of 1"+ will be possible.
- Tuesday Night. Showers and some thunderstorms will be possible from St. Cloud southward, with a band of freezing precipitation occurring north of that from around Little Falls to the North Shore. Heavy snow will continue across western and northern Minnesota, with 1"+ per hour rates possible.
- Wednesday. As the system starts to move out of the region, precipitation will mainly change over to snow across the state. A period of freezing precipitation could be possible as that changeover occurs in the Twin Cities during the morning hours. By the afternoon, most of the additional snow to fall will be across the northern half of the state, with snow ending into Wednesday Night across northern Minnesota.
The heaviest snow is expected to fall across northwestern/north-central Minnesota, where snowfall amounts of over a foot will be possible. In these areas, this is expected to be a major/extreme winter storm due to the expected snowfall, dangerous to impossible travel, and an extended period of blizzard conditions.
Peak Winds Through 7 AM Wednesday. The strongest winds Tuesday into Tuesday Night will be up in northwestern Minnesota - where blizzard conditions and drifting snow are possible - and along the North Shore. In both these areas, wind gusts of 50-65 mph will be possible.
Peak Winds Through 7 PM Wednesday. The strongest winds across southern Minnesota are expected Wednesday, with wind gusts over 50 mph possible. Out in western Minnesota, we will continue to see the potential of blizzard conditions. Across the rest of southern Minnesota, power outages will be possible.
A band of least 0.1" to 0.2" of icing could fall from southwestern Minnesota (areas like Pipestone) northeastward to areas like Sauk Centre, Little Falls, and along the North Shore (including Duluth). This amount of icing will certainly cause slick surfaces and hazardous travel conditions.
Blizzard Warnings have been issued across parts of northern and northwestern Minnesota due to the extended period of high winds with falling snow. Winter Storm Warnings are out for the heavy snow and, in some areas, some icing. Winter Weather Advisories are in place for some snow and icing.
Meanwhile, a few storms down in far southeastern Minnesota could be strong to severe Tuesday into Tuesday Night, with hail the primary threat.
