Frigid temperatures this weekend prompt cold weather advisories

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It’s a busy weather week for Minnesota meteorologists. Most of Minnesota will see four separate rounds of snow this week. 

Snow got going early this week with Sunday’s light snow shot. Monday evening features another round. Wednesday brings the next shot of light snow. Friday’s system looks like the biggest.

Our current snow system moves out of the Twin Cities by midnight but light snow lingers in northeast Minnesota until early Tuesday morning. Here’s NOAA’s HRRR model through 6 a.m. Tuesday.

Wednesday’s system looks similar to Sunday and Monday bringing more light to moderate snowfall accumulations. NOAA’s Nam 3 km resolution model shows snow progressing from west to east across Minnesota Wednesday. 

The heaviest snowfall totals of 1 to 3 inches favor the northern half of Minnesota.

Friday’s snow system looks substantially bigger than the other three this week. Most models favor an all-day snow event Friday lingering into Saturday morning. Wind and subzero temperatures pour in behind the system Saturday.

NOAA’s GFS model is typical of those that crank out widespread heavy (6 inches or more) accumulations Friday.

Of course, it’s still early. But snowfall accumulations over 6 inches seem likely across much of Minnesota by Saturday. Several models push higher-end snowfall totals toward the double digits. Expect to see winter storm watches and warnings issued later this week. Travel impacts look significant Friday into early Saturday. 

Parts of Minnesota could pick up a foot of snow in total between the four snow systems this week.

Weather and Climate News

Updraft® - Minnesota Weather News

Paul Huttner

Author

Growing chances for a significant winter storm Friday in Minnesota.

NOAA via tropical tidbits

NOAA HRRR model from 9 pm Monday through 6 am Tuesday

Active weather week brings more light snow Wednesday, bigger winter storm Friday?

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