Now that the polar vortex has crawled back under its arctic rock, some Twin Cities metro residents are poised to be blanketed by several inches of snow starting Monday night, according to forecasters.
The combination of snow and strong winds -- up to 25 mph -- is expected to reduce visibility and could make for a slow Tuesday morning commute in parts of the metro area.
The first flakes should be falling before 9 p.m. Monday, with winds picking up sometime after midnight, according to the National Weather Service (NWS).
The latest winter weather advisory from the NWS covers parts of central and southern Minnesota, with Elk River, Monticello and Chaska as the closest communities to Minneapolis and St. Paul mentioned. An advisory issued earlier Monday included Hennepin County.
Accumulation by Tuesday morning is forecast to range from 2 to 4 inches, with another half-inch to follow as wind speeds pick up, the NWS added.
The primary concern, the advisory continued, is "blowing and drifting snow, with significantly reduced visibilities" for motorists and others.
Paul Walsh • 612-673-4482
