Heavy snow and difficult travel expected again, heaviest snow in southern Minnesota

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Part 1 of this week’s winter storm delivered as scheduled Tuesday.

Now we watch as part 2 develops and brings a mixture of light ice overnight, with more snow through the day on Wednesday. NOAA’s HRRR model shows the likely progression of mixed ice (red) and mostly light snow (blue) across Minnesota between 6 p.m. Tuesday and 6 p.m. Wednesday. 

The first wave of this storm drove an intense snowfall wave with snowfall rates of 1 to 2 inches per hour. Two main factors determine snowfall accumulation. Snowfall rate, and snowfall duration. Tuesday’s intense burst dumped anywhere from 3 to 9 inches across our region in just a few hours.

Wednesday’s snowfall will be lighter, but longer in duration. That means another 2 to 6 inches could add up by the time we get to Thursday morning in many areas. 

Here’s the wider snowfall picture for all of Minnesota. 

The forecast looks cool but dry Thursday through the weekend. Highs will mainly be in the teens north and 20s south for the next several days.

The forecast models look mainly dry through next week. So this could be our last storm for a while. 

Next week also looks warmer. Highs in the 30s once again look likely next week.

NOAA’s temperatures outlooks look warmer than average through 14 days.

Even NOAA’s week 3-4 temperature outlook favors above-average temperatures. After our brutally cold December, this could end up being a milder-than-average January for most of Minnesota.

Weather and Climate News

Updraft® - Minnesota Weather News

Paul Huttner

Author

Our 2-part storm system is ready to deliver additional snowfall Wednesday.

Part 2: Additional snow ahead Wednesday

Go Deeper.

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