Snow was already falling across much of Minnesota by Sunday morning, with steadier, heavier snow expected as the day goes on.
The storm is expected to dump six to 10 inches of snow across much of eastern Minnesota and western Wisconsin, with snowfall rates reaching around an inch per hour as the system intensifies, according to the National Weather Service.
“So the snow, obviously has already begun. It’s going to be heavy through much of the afternoon,” said Bill Borghoff, a meteorologist with the National Weather Service in Chanhassen. “We’re looking at maybe an inch per hour rate for the next few hours, but the snow is going to continue through at least the evening hours.”
While the heaviest snowfall is expected across eastern and central parts of the state, the most dangerous conditions may develop farther west and south, where strong winds are forecast to whip snow into near-whiteout conditions.
“It’s certainly eastern and central in terms of snowfall, but we’re gonna have the strongest winds across western and southern Minnesota, which is leading to blizzard conditions,” Borghoff said.
The combination of heavy snow and strong winds is expected to make travel hazardous — and in some areas nearly impossible — through Sunday and into the evening.
“We would suggest postponing travel until conditions improve, either late tonight or tomorrow morning,” Borghoff said.
Blowing snow was making for dangerous conditions on Minnesota roadways in the western and southern portions of the state. Travel was not advised Sunday afternoon in several counties, according to the Minnesota Department of Transportation.
