Blizzard warnings in Northwest Minnesota, winter weather advisories across the state

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New computer model info shows that the Saturday night/Sunday snowstorm will dump heavy snow in southern Minnesota and parts of western Wisconsin. The new info also shows that the southern part of the Twin Cities metro area could see some heavy snow totals. 

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

The heaviest snow amounts overnight and Sunday could be in the 6 to 9 inch range in southern Minnesota and parts of western Wisconsin. Twin Cities snow amounts by noon Sunday could range from around 3 inches in the far north metro to around 6 or 7 inches in the far south metro.

Here’s the weekend snow-total forecast issued early Saturday by the National Weather Service:

As mentioned, the heavier snow band may expand northward.

Winter storm warnings start at 9 p.m. in the Marshall area, and at 11 p.m. in the Mankato and Albert Lea areas, then begin at midnight in Rochester and at 3 a.m. Sunday in Eau Claire:

begins at 1 a.m. Sunday in the Twin Cities metro area, and it’s due to the potential of heavier snow if the storm track shifts slightly northward. That winter storm watch extends into St. Croix and Pierce counties of west-central Wisconsin and also into parts of west central Minnesota.

Here are projected start times for the snow in the counties for which the Twin Cities NWS office issues forecasts:

You can hear updated weather information on the MPR 

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

Our average high temp is 27 degrees this time of year in the Twin Cities. We’ll top out in the upper teens to around 20 in most of the metro area Saturday afternoon. Highs in the teens will be common across much of northern and central Minnesota, with some 20s in far southern Minnesota and parts of western Wisconsin.

Sunday highs reach the teens to the northwest, with 20s to the southeast:

Winds pick up Sunday afternoon, giving us wind chill temps in the single digits and teens:

Twin Cities metro area highs are projected to be in the upper 20s Monday and Tuesday, followed by lower 30s Wednesday then upper teens Thursday and Friday.

You can hear my live weather updates on MPR News at 7:35 a.m., 9:35 a.m. and 4:35 p.m. each Saturday and Sunday.

Weather and Climate News

Updraft® - Minnesota Weather News

Ron Trenda

Author

New computer model info has arrived, and it still shows heavy snow across much of southern Minnesota and parts of western Wisconsin overnight Saturday night into Sunday morning. The newest info also shows that southern portions of the Twin Cities metro area may see some heavy snow Sunday morning. We have the details.

Heavy snow late tonight and Sunday AM in southern Minn.; metro snow amounts highest to the south

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