Odds are growing for blockbuster snowstorm to be largest of the season in the Twin Cities

Residents across the northern metro suburbs and just beyond woke up to what was left of a half foot of snow that fell late Thursday into Friday, but it likely was just a preview of what is to come over the next couple of days.

St. Francis, Chisago City and Zimmerman led the way with 7.5 inches each, while the Anoka County cities of East Bethel, Nowthen and Oak Grove picked up 6 inches or more, according to reports received by the National Weather Service.

Lighter amounts fell in the south and east metro cities of Lakeville, Oakdale, Woodbury and Savage where 2 to 3 inches accumulated, the Weather Service said.

All that may pale in comparison when the next system arrives Saturday night into Sunday. Early models predict the metro is in line for 6 to 10 inches of snow with heftier amounts falling to the west and north of the Twin Cities.

The metro area's largest snowfall of the season happened on Valentine's Day when 6.9 inches of snow whitened the landscape. That is almost certainly going to be eclipsed. While it is still too early to say exactly how much, "we could easily see amounts in the double digits," the Weather Service said.

A winter storm watch is in effect for Sunday and Monday for nearly all of Minnesota with "high confidence" of six to 12 inches likely, the Weather Service said. One model from the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration hinted that 18 inches or more could fall in places such as Brainerd, Duluth and Silver Bay.

Metro area roads had drastically improved by late Friday morning after the slushy mix covering pavement sent scores of motorists into ditches. By 6 a.m., the State Patrol had responded to 175 crashes statewide since Thursday night and 101 spin-outs.

Minnesota Department of Transportation crews fanned out across the metro to clear away the first measurable snowfall in the Twin Cities since Feb. 27 when a tenth of an inch fell at the Minneapolis-St. Paul International Airport.

"There will be slick spots," MnDOT spokeswoman Anne Meyer said. "Folks should take their time. Do your part as a driver: slow down, stay back and give yourself room to maneuver if you need to."

At the Minneapolis-St. Paul International Airport, three outbound flights had been canceled and 83 delayed by 11:30 a.m. on one of the busiest days of the season, according to Flightaware.com.

Gusty winds are expected to accompany the long-duration storm that is expected to arrive before daylight Sunday and hang around through Tuesday. Travel won't be the only thing impacted, the Weather Service said.

"Heavy wet snow/ice could impact the power grid as well as damage trees when combined with strong winds," the Weather Service warned.

The winter weather has interrupted the warmest January to March on record, but comes at just the right time in New Hope, said Beth Kramer, a spokeswoman for the west metro suburb.

The pair of storms will allow public works to send out, for the first time, two new snow plows the city bought this year, and perhaps entice residents to enter the city's snow sculpting contest, which ends March 31. With the lack of snow this year, nobody has entered the contest so far.

"I'm excited," she said.