Milder weather is causing a messy mix of precipitation
Snow, rain and ice spread across Minnesota by Thursday
A storm that is already causing snow, drizzle and freezing rain in southeastern Minnesota Wednesday will bring widespread precipitation across the state Thursday.
Wednesday’s forecast
Wednesday started off very mild for January, and into the afternoon the entire state will be about 10 degrees above average. Except for a few locations in northern Minnesota, most of the highs will be in the 30s.
An area of predominantly snow has already moved into southeastern Minnesota and will stay confined to that corner of the state before slowly spreading north and west overnight and into Thursday.
Even though it is mostly snow and a little drizzle, transitioning temperatures mean freezing rain is also possible. A few places could see snow totals up to 3 or 4 inches through Wednesday, but it will be a wet snow that likely compacts down to less.
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In the areas expecting potential ice or a little more snow, a winter weather advisory is in effect until noon Wednesday.
The timing of the advisory could be extended depending on road conditions.
Precipitation Thursday and Friday
The snow slowly starts spreading its way north and west across Minnesota overnight Wednesday, and by Thursday afternoon, all but northwestern Minnesota has chances for precipitation.
While it will be predominantly snow, freezing rain and drizzle could mix in. Any freezing precipitation on Thursday would stay very light, and be mostly likely in northern Minnesota, particularly in a corridor from about Brainerd to Duluth.
Drizzle would be primarily in southeastern Minnesota. The best chance for accumulating snow Thursday is in western Minnesota, with 1 to 2 inches possible.
Friday, the snow slowly moves out of the state and stays very light, with totals staying under 1 inch.
After this system clears out, we have a very quiet weekend ahead, with the next chance for snow not coming until Tuesday.
Temperatures
The mild stretch will continue with above average temperatures expected all the way through the end of next week. Even though we will start off February mild, it will feel like winter again before long. The extended forecast for February shows a high probability of a colder than average month.
So, keep all the cold weather gear handy!
Programming note
You can hear my live weather updates on Minnesota Public Radio at 7:48 a.m. Monday through Friday morning.