Another wintry storm Friday

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Our wintry weather pattern continues to produce snow and cold for Minnesota this week. 

In fact, forecast models suggest significant snow potential Wednesday and Thursday for parts of Minnesota, along with bitter subzero wind chills and high winds. Travel impacts are likely in the busy pre-Christmas travel time late this week. 

I’ll write in greater detail about our late-week weather later today. But first, let’s focus on 

A minor weather system brings mostly light snow to Minnesota today. But it’s enough snow to gum up roads and make for potentially dangerous travel through this evening.

NOAA WRF model seems to have a pretty good hand on snowfall coverage today. The loop below runs from 2 pm today to midnight.

That means snow will fall across most of eastern Minnesota including the Twin Cities into early evening, and through tonight across northeast Minnesota. It also means slippery roads across most of Minnesota and another slick PM rush hour commute for the greater Twin Cities area today. 

Most spots around the Twin Cities will pick up an inch or two today. Northern Minnesota and the North Shore will see more like 2 to 5 inches.

Our frigid temperatures across Minnesota today will play a role in slick roads even though snowfall is not particularly heavy. Temperatures will hover in the single digits above zero across most of central and northern Minnesota, with teens in the south.

Remember that road treatments work best at temperatures above 20 degrees. So expect some slick and icy roads through this evening as the snow falls on frigid pavement. 

I’d rather drive on 6 inches of snow at 30 degrees than an inch at 10 degrees.

The forecast models are still highly varied on how much snow will arrive in Minnesota and the Twin Cities Wednesday and Thursday. There’s good agreement that wind chills will reach dangerous, even life-threatening levels of cold later this week.

I expect winter storm watches to go up soon for much of eastern Minnesota for Wednesday and Thursday. More on that later today.

Stay tuned, it’s going to be a busy and wintry weather week!

Weather and Climate News

Updraft® - Minnesota Weather News

Another batch of snow Monday for most of Minnesota.

NOAA via pivotal weather 

Twin Cities National Weather Service

NOAA via tropical tidbits

NOAA

Minnesota Department of Transportation

Forecast wind chill temperatures for 7 am Friday

More snow brings slippery roads and slick PM rush hour commute Monday

Go Deeper.

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