Statewide snow and blowing snow keep travel slow for Monday

The winter storm that crippled Minnesota at times over the weekend with snow and ice is bringing state-wide snow and wind for Monday.

Here are some of the snow totals from this storm so far through the weekend as of 9 a.m. Monday:

Because of the new snow and blowing snow on Monday, almost all of Minnesota is under a winter weather advisory, with the North Shore under a winter storm warning due to possible heavier snow from lake-effect enhancement.

Monday’s forecast

Colder air moves across the state Monday, with most temperatures either holding steady or falling Monday morning and falling for almost the entire state by afternoon. That puts highs in the 20s and low 30s, with the colder air causing the precipitation across the state to switch to snow.

Although most of the precipitation Monday will stay snow, there is some light freezing rain mixing in through the morning hours. Plus, some wet areas have refrozen. So, watch for slick areas.

All precipitation will likely be snow from Monday afternoon through the departure of the storm. The highest new snow totals for Monday set up over western Minnesota, including the Twin Cities, which could see 3 to 5 inches by Monday night.

The snow winds down overnight Monday into early Tuesday.

Winds have already picked up across eastern Minnesota as of Monday morning, and will increase for the rest of the state through the morning. As winds gust in excess of 30 mph at times, blowing snow reducing could reduce visibility anytime through Tuesday morning.

Snow diminishes overnight Monday, and will end across the state by Tuesday morning.

Tuesday and New Year’s Eve

After the snow ends early Tuesday, skies clear quickly across the state, and most of Minnesota will be seeing sunshine by late morning. It will also still be windy in the morning, with winds diminishing in the afternoon.

Tuesday will be cooler than the recent mild temperatures. The Tuesday highs in the teens and 20s are closer to average for late December. For the Twin Cities, temperatures at midnight Tuesday when 2020 hails in will be around 15 degrees.

Extended forecast

After Minnesota makes it through the current winter storm, the weather stays comparatively quiet for the rest of the week. A weak cold front moves across the state on Thursday, bringing a slight chance for snow, especially for northern Minnesota.

The better chance for accumulation comes Friday, with a system that may clip southeast of the state.

That could bring mostly light snow, but accumulation is possible for southeastern Minnesota depending on the exact track.

Right now, it does not look like any upcoming weather has a lot of moisture along with it.
Temperatures remain above average after Tuesday, predominantly in the 20s and 30s across the state. Temperatures dip slightly behind Thursday’s cold front, but remain above average despite this.

Here is the forecast temperature trend for the Twin Cities through the end of the week:

Colder air will likely return by next week though. Stay tuned!

Programming note

You can hear my live weather updates on Minnesota Public Radio at 7:48 a.m. Monday through Friday morning.