Two storms in the next three days promise to wipe out the Twin Cities' snow deficit this winter — and then some.
Snow fell steadily in the Twin Cities metro area overnight after first moving into southwestern Minnesota in Thursday morning. While it arrived in the metro too late to foul up Thursday evening's commute, it's be a different story for Friday morning commuters, although plows and sanders were out in force overnight.
The heaviest snow fell overnight across central and southern Minnesota.
Two to 5 inches of snow fell across a wide swath of Minnesota, including in Mankato, Willmar, Alexandria, St. Cloud, Grand Rapids and Duluth. Lighter amounts are forecast for Albert Lea, Austin, Worthington and Rochester.
A one-day reprieve will allow time for shoveling and plowing before a more impressive system with the potential for heavy snow moves in Saturday and lingers into Sunday.
"Confidence is increasing in a stronger storm across eastern Minnesota Saturday," the Weather Service said. "Six to 10 inches are likely in the heavy snow band, but the exact location is still uncertain."
One forecast calls for 1 to 3 inches to fall during the day Saturday in the metro area and another 4 to 8 inches Saturday night, the Weather Service said.
A wintry mix could fall across far southeastern Minnesota, where snowfall totals could be lighter, the Weather Service said.
