Central and southern Minnesotans are likely to confront complicated snow-removal chores Saturday as overnight snow could be followed by falling and blowing snow through the day.
North winds of up to 35 miles per hour are possible Saturday afternoon across west-central, south-central and southeast Minnesota, carrying an inch of new snow, blowing old stuff and adding to the 3 to 4 inches that was expected overnight.
Friday evening the National Weather Service posted a winter weather advisory for western, southern and central Minnesota due to the forecast snow and high winds. That was to remain in effect in the Twin Cities until 6 p.m. Saturday.
To the west, a blizzard warning was posted for the northeast corner of South Dakota, to the Minnesota border, and was to remain in effect until 3 p.m. Saturday.
Some spots in Minnesota could see snowfall at the rate of an inch per hour, but the system is moving so fast accumulations will not be crippling. The low-pressure center associated with the wind and snow is expected to move from northwest of Winnipeg on Friday evening to Springfield, Ill., Saturday evening.
Saturday's predicted high of 21 in the Twin Cities is only 2 degrees cooler than normal for the date. Sunday is expected to bring a high of 33 with sunny skies, but Monday should see a high of only 10, with a chance of snow.
Bill McAuliffe, Paul Walsh
