Heaviest snow far southern Minnesota; milder temps by Sunday
There's ample snow cover over most of Minnesota right now.
Here's NOAA's latest snow cover map:
Parts of west-central Minnesota have very little snow on the ground, but they could see some flakes by late Thursday afternoon.
Snow potential
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A low-pressure system will spread snow across much of southern Minnesota Thursday afternoon and evening.
The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration's North American Mesoscale forecast model shows the potential snow pattern this Thursday into Thursday night:
The color chart to the right of the loop refers to the strength of the signal that returns to the radar, not to the amount of snow.
The heaviest snow is expected over far southern Minnesota, where 3 to 4 inches could accumulate in some areas:
Winter weather advisories are in effect for far southern Minnesota from Thursday afternoon into Thursday night:
URGENT - WINTER WEATHER MESSAGE
National Weather Service Twin Cities/Chanhassen MN
254 AM CST Thu Feb 8 2018
...SNOW LATE THIS AFTERNOON AND EVENING ACROSS SOUTHERN MINNESOTA...
.A Winter Weather Advisory is in effect for Watonwan, Blue Earth,
Martin, Faribault and Freeborn counties from 3 PM this afternoon
to 3 AM tonight. Snow will begin between 3 and 6 PM and continue
through the evening before ending around midnight. 2 to 4 inches
of snow are expected.
MNZ082-083-091>093-081700-
/O.NEW.KMPX.WW.Y.0006.180208T2100Z-180209T0900Z/
Watonwan-Blue Earth-Martin-Faribault-Freeborn-
Including the cities of St James, Mankato, Fairmont, Blue Earth,
and Albert Lea
254 AM CST Thu Feb 8 2018
...WINTER WEATHER ADVISORY IN EFFECT FROM 3 PM THIS AFTERNOON TO
3 AM CST FRIDAY...
* WHAT...Snow expected. Plan on slippery road conditions. Total
snow accumulations of 2 to 4 inches are expected.
* WHERE...Watonwan, Blue Earth, Martin, Faribault and Freeborn
Counties.
* WHEN...From 3 PM this afternoon to 3 AM CST Friday.
* ADDITIONAL DETAILS...Be prepared for reduced visibilities at
times.
PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...
A Winter Weather Advisory for snow means periods of snow will
cause primarily travel difficulties. Be prepared for snow covered
roads and limited visibilities, and use caution while driving.
The latest road conditions for Minnesota can be found at
511mn.org and for Wisconsin at 511wi.gov, or by calling 5 1 1 in
either state.
The Twin Cities metro area will be on the northern edge of the main snow area, with an inch or less expected in the north metro, and somewhere between 1 and 2 inches in the south metro this Thursday evening.
Updated weather information can be heard on the Minnesota Public Radio network , and you can read about any weather updates in the MPR news live weather blog.
Chicago snowstorm
If you have the option to travel to Chicago this Thursday afternoon instead of on Friday, you probably should take the earlier flight.
Chicago, and most of northern Illinois, will be in a winter storm warning this Thursday night through Friday:
Details, from the Chicago NWS office:
URGENT - WINTER WEATHER MESSAGE
National Weather Service Chicago IL
254 AM CST Thu Feb 8 2018
...Long Duration Snow Event Likely This Evening through Friday
Evening...
ILZ006-013-014-022-INZ001-002-081700-
/O.UPG.KLOT.WS.A.0002.180209T0300Z-180210T0500Z/
/O.NEW.KLOT.WS.W.0001.180209T0000Z-180210T0300Z/
Lake IL-DuPage-Cook-Will-Lake IN-Porter-
Including the cities of Waukegan, Wheaton, Chicago, Joliet, Gary,
and Valparaiso
254 AM CST Thu Feb 8 2018
...WINTER STORM WARNING IN EFFECT FROM 6 PM THIS EVENING TO 9 PM
CST FRIDAY...
* WHAT...Heavy snow likely. Travel will be very difficult to
impossible at times, including during the morning commute on
Friday. Total snow accumulations of 6 to 10 inches are possible.
Localized areas may see snow in excess of one foot.
* WHERE...Portions of northwest Indiana and northeast Illinois.
* WHEN...From 6 PM this evening to 9 PM CST Friday.
* ADDITIONAL DETAILS...Be prepared for significant reductions in
visibility at times.
PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...
A Winter Storm Warning for snow means severe winter weather
conditions are expected. If you must travel, keep an extra
flashlight, food and water in your vehicle in case of an
emergency.
Check with the NWS Chicago office for forecast updates.
Temperature trends
Highs in the teens are expected in about the southern half of Minnesota Thursday afternoon, with single-digit highs in much of the north.
Similar highs are on tap for Friday, although some spots in the south might barely make it to double digits.
Saturday highs will be mostly in the teens:
Temperatures in the 20s appear in southern and central Minnesota Sunday afternoon:
Twin Cities highs are expected to be in the lower 20s Monday, and mid 20s Tuesday and Wednesday of next week.
Programming note
You can hear my live weather updates on Minnesota Public Radio at 7:49 a.m. Thursdays and Fridays, and at 7:35 a.m., 9:35 a.m. and 4:35 p.m. each Saturday and Sunday.