Frigid temperatures this weekend prompt cold weather advisories

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One rule of Minnesota weather? If the cold air is here, the snow can’t be far behind. 

Case in point Friday morning. A little upper air wave snuck through the forecast models grid largely undetected. The result? A few minutes of quality snow showers that got our attention this morning. 

Saturday brings a stronger and more widespread system to central and northern Minnesota.

Forecast models still drag a cold low-pressure system across Minnesota with a band of snow north of the low center. 

Expect several hours of snow across central and northern Minnesota Saturday. The Twin Cities rides the southern edge of the system, and may see a mix of a few rain showers and a few flakes. 

Friday’s forecast models have eased off a bit on the notion of higher snowfall totals some suggested Thursday. 

, general 2 to 4-inch totals with some local 5-inch totals still look likely Saturday.

, overall it still looks like a range of 1 or 2 inches on the low end, to as much as to 5 inches in some higher-end locations like the Sawtooth Mountains above the North Shore.

This emerging cold pattern is bringing snowfall to Minnesota earlier than average this year. The average first inch of snow in northern Minnesota is early November. Many locations will see that more than two weeks earlier than average this year.

Weather and Climate News

Updraft® - Minnesota Weather News

Paul Huttner

Author

The first significant accumulating snow arrives for many locations in central and northern Minnesota Saturday.

Tracking Saturday snowfall totals

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