Cooler but still well above normal this week

MPR News helps you turn down the noise and build shared understanding. Turn up your support for this public resource and keep trusted journalism accessible to all. 

Turn Up Your Support

Welcome to phase 1 of our two-act storm system. 

The first wave of snowfall has been light to moderate across most of central and southern Minnesota so far. And this first part of the storm features less wind than we’ll see in phase 2. 

The latest forecast models I’m looking at early this Tuesday evening favor between about 3 and 7 inches of snowfall across most of the southern half of Minnesota by 6 a.m. Wednesday. 

Here’s the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration’s High-Resolution Rapid Refresh model:

The biggest change Tuesday afternoon is the expansion of 

 into the south and western Twin Cities counties for Wednesday and Thursday. 

Specifically, Wright, Carver and Scott Counties have been added to the blizzard warning zone. 

Check out the general blizzard warning language from the Twin Cities National Weather Service. They’re not pulling any weather punches here. 

The overall storm picture remains the same. The heaviest barrage of snow and wind arrives Wednesday afternoon through Thursday morning. Overall snowfall totals still look likely to top 1 foot and run up to 2 feet across a wide swath of southern Minnesota.

Weather and Climate News

Updraft® - Minnesota Weather News

Paul Huttner

Author

Wright, Carver and Scott Counties have been added to the blizzard warning zone. The Twin Cities National Weather Service office is warning the storm “should lead to impossible travel” by Wednesday night and early Thursday. 

Blizzard warnings widen into Twin Cities metro; travel may be 'impossible'

Go Deeper.

Like this?

News you can use in your inbox