Winter storm warning in effect for the first of two potentially potent storms this week
A last mild day Monday before the weather turns tricky.
This is my inaugural post for Updraft, and I certainly wish I came bearing better news. It is going to be a tricky week for travel, just in time for our uptick in holiday travel. We have two separate storm systems that could bring heavy snow and high winds across the state.
Monday stays warm
Enjoy one last day of above-average temperatures!
But we will also see winds pick up into Monday afternoon, with central Minnesota seeing gusts over 30 mph at time.
While the southern half of Minnesota stays dry, we have a system clipping across northern Minnesota bringing rain and snow, and some areas could see over an inch of snow, closer to 2-3 inches toward International Falls.
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Temperatures
Although temperatures will be slightly lower after Monday, even when temperatures drop, it will just get us closer to average temperatures for most of the week.
The average high for Monday in the Twin Cities is 36 degrees. So, we will run at or slightly below average after Monday. However, it is going to be a windy week, so it will feel cooler at times due to the wind chill which will dip into the teens a few mornings.
Snow
This is going to be a snowy week, with two major snowstorms on the way. The first is a fast but potent system with heavy snow potential and high winds/blowing snow from Tuesday afternoon through Wednesday morning.
The low pressure will likely slide south and east of Minnesota, bringing the heaviest snow potential from the Twin Cities southward, where storms totals could exceed 6 inches Wednesday morning.
The combination of snow and wind could cause near white-out conditions in some areas, and travel will likely be difficult.
The second system has less certainty right now, but it also has the potential to bring significant snow and windy conditions.
There could also be some rain mixed in if temperatures get high enough. It currently looks like it could have a larger precipitation footprint and be slower moving, so that means snow possibilities from Thursday (Thanksgiving) through Sunday.
Of that time period, it currently looks like Friday afternoon through Saturday morning could be the best chance for accumulating snow, but the storm is still developing, so stay tuned!
Programming note
You can hear my live weather updates on MPR News at 7:48 a.m. Monday through Friday.