Frigid temperatures this weekend prompt cold weather advisories

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Here’s an update on our rapidly evolving winter storm situation Wednesday. 

Morning rain will rapidly change to snow during the midday hours in the Twin Cities. Get to where you need to be by noon and plan to hunker down in the afternoon.

As I said in my 4:48 p.m. weather broadcast on MPR News, this storm has traits that make me think of the 

. This storm will hit quick and hard, with great ferocity.

The late evening 0Z forecast model runs are coming in. The southward storm track shift continues. The southern track, combined with a deepening low-pressure system elevates the chances for a high-impact, heavy snow and wind event for most of central and southern Minnesota including greater the Twin Cities area.  

Blizzard and winter storm warnings are posted for much of Minnesota on Wednesday. Blizzard warnings now include the western Twin Cities, and winter storm warnings include the entire Twin Cities area. 

NOAA’s late evening (0Z) NAM 3 km resolution model grabs hold of a deepening system passing south of the Twin Cities on Wednesday. Notice the quick changeover from rain (green) to heavy snow (deep blue) around the Twin Cities during the midday hours.

This will produce an impressively dangerous zone of wind-whipped heavy snow across much of Minnesota including the Twin Cities. Wind gusts over 50 mph and heavy snow will create blizzard conditions in open areas. We might even see near-blizzard conditions in the Twin Cities for several hours Wednesday afternoon. 

The late evening forecast models continue to pump up snowfall totals for the Twin Cities. The NAM model runs now lay out the heaviest snow axis from northwest Wisconsin through the Twin Cities to near Mankato. If the NAM is right, snowfall totals could approach a foot in some areas. Other models including the European produce double-digit snowfall totals in or near the Twin Cities. 

The rapid onset of freezing temperatures with rain changing to snow and high winds could cause road surfaces to flash-freeze Wednesday. Here’s more from the blizzard warning issued for southwest Minnesota. 

Travelers need to be aware of rapidly changing road and weather conditions Wednesday. This is a dangerous storm that will escalate quickly. 

Weather and Climate News

Updraft® - Minnesota Weather News

Paul Huttner

Author

Forecast models are cranking out increasing snowfall totals for the Twin Cities. Morning rain will rapidly change to snow during the midday hours Wednesday. Get to where you need to be by noon and plan to hunker down.

Winter storm warnings and advisories for Wednesday

Twin Cities National Weather Service

A car sits on the side of a highway in a blizzard

Courtesy of Minnesota State Patrol

NOAA via tropical tidbits

NOAA NAM model snowfall projection by Thursday 

Blizzard warnings include western Twin Cities; 6-12 inches of snow likely

Go Deeper.

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