Frigid temperatures this weekend prompt cold weather advisories

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Our winter storm is right on schedule. Heavy snow was falling over southwestern Minnesota and parts of south-central Minnesota Friday morning, and spreading steadily northeastward.

Snow arrives in the Twin Cities metro area early Friday afternoon, with several inches expected by late afternoon and additional snow this evening. The evening commute will be slow and difficult in the metro area and much of Minnesota and western Wisconsin.

The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration’s North American Mesoscale forecast model shows the potential precipitation pattern Friday afternoon through Saturday afternoon:

Forecast snow amounts in the 6 to 9 inch range are expected in many areas, with some double-digit amounts possible just to the west of the metro area and near Lake Superior:

Here’s a snow-timing chart, with areas in brackets indicating the times of heaviest snow:

A closer look at snow projections to the northeast:

Winds pick up late Friday into Saturday, and whiteout conditions are expected in some areas, especially in western Minnesota:

Winter storm warnings cover all of Minnesota (except Houston county in the southeast), plus western Wisconsin, this afternoon and evening. The winter storm warning becomes a blizzard warning late Friday night through Saturday in much of western Minnesota, with a winter storm warning continuing in other areas (including the Twin Cities) through Saturday:

Snow amounts Saturday will be lighter, but the winds will really crank up, gusting over 45 mph at times in western Minnesota, causing whiteout conditions. Open areas in eastern Minnesota and western Wisconsin may also see whiteout conditions at times.

Here are details on the warnings for this storm:

You can hear updated weather information on the MPR 

, and you’ll see updated weather info on the MPR News 

Saturday highs will happen in the early morning, with falling temps throughout the day.

Here’s a look at temps around 1 p.m. Saturday:

Note that we’ve already dropped into the teens in the metro area by early afternoon, with single digits expected by mid-afternoon.

Wind chill temps are well below zero early Saturday afternoon…in the 20s below zero in western Minnesota:

Sunday high temps only reach the single digits:

Wind chill temps at 1 p.m. Sunday will be well below zero: 

Even before our Friday snow, much of Minnesota had plenty of snow on the ground.  Here’s the latest Minnesota 

, courtesy of the Minnesota State Climatology Office and the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources:

Cross-country skiers, sledders, snowboarders and even snowmobilers all around Minnesota will have plenty of snow to enjoy, once the winds die down.

 has a list of many events around the state of Minnesota this weekend. The weather will be inclement on Saturday with wind, areas of snow and cold temps., Looking ahead to Sunday, one outdoor activity that might be of interest is 

Weather and Climate News

Updraft® - Minnesota Weather News

Ron Trenda

Author

Heavy snow will continue to spread across Minnesota and western Wisconsin Friday afternoon and evening. Evening commutes will be severely impacted. Winds ramp up Friday night and Saturday, with blizzard conditions in some areas. We have details on snow amounts, wind speeds and temperatures through the weekend.

Evening rush hour on Hwy. 62 at Penn Ave.

Heavy snow will snarl our commute; storm brings whiteout conditions to some areas

Go Deeper.

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