Wintry mix spreads across Minnesota

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The winter storm that has been plaguing Minnesota since Thursday continues to bring light snow, rain and freezing drizzle through much of Friday, keeping travel difficult.

As of Friday morning, the low pressure center of the storm impacting our state is sitting in northeastern Iowa and still funneling moisture and gusty winds into Minnesota.

It is expected to keep bringing light to moderate bands of snow across southern Minnesota through the day, although temperatures are so mild, rain will occasionally mix in. For northern Minnesota, there is very spotty light snow, but freezing drizzle is also likely — not enough to cause widespread problems but watch for slick roads.

In terms of accumulation, most of Minnesota will see less than an inch of additional snow Friday. However, south-central Minnesota, especially Mankato and southward, could get an additional 3 to 4 inches.

Although the snow totals with this storm were not as significant as expected, the winds definitely did increase as forecast. Even with predominantly light snow Friday, winds that could gust over 50 mph in southwestern Minnesota could produce whiteout conditions. 

Thus, the blizzard warning for southwest and south-central Minnesota is still in effect until 6 p.m. (red), while much of the rest of the state remains under a winter weather advisory (purple).

Temperatures stayed very mild overnight, with most of the state near freezing Friday morning. This is part of the reason snow totals were lower than expected; it has been a very wet snow with rain occasionally mixed in.

Those temperatures stay very steady through the day, and may even drop slightly in western Minnesota as the storm starts to clear and slightly cooler air moves in.

The precipitation will move out from northwest to southeast from Friday afternoon through the evening.

The weekend turns quieter, with highs in the 20s. That extended forecast will be updated around 9 a.m.

You can hear my live weather updates on Minnesota Public Radio at 7:48 a.m. Monday through Friday morning.

Weather and Climate News

Updraft® - Minnesota Weather News

Nicole Mitchell 

Author

The winter storm that has been plaguing Minnesota since Thursday continues to bring light snow, rain and freezing drizzle through much of Friday, keeping travel difficult.


A messy mix of wind, snow, rain and ice continue Friday

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