Updraft® - Minnesota Weather News

Wet snow Sunday evening and overnight into early Mon.; Slower Monday commute

Update on snow totals and advisories

A low pressure system spread wet snow and pockets of a rain/snow mix into much of southern Minnesota Sunday afternoon. There have also been some lightning flashes.

The snow (and pockets of thundersnow and a rain/snow mix) will continue to spread northeastward Sunday evening, eventually covering much of Minnesota and western Wisconsin. Visibilities will be severely reduced in the heaviest snow.

Some locations, including the Twin Cities metro area, could see snowfall rates of one-inch per hour at times Sunday evening, followed by periods of lighter snow overnight. There will be a chance of lingering rain and snow showers Monday morning, with steadier snow in parts of northeastern Minnesota and northwestern Wisconsin.

The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration’s North American Mesoscale (NAM) forecast model shows the potential precipitation pattern from 6 p.m. Sunday to noon on Monday:

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Simulated radar from 6 p.m. Sunday to noon on Monday
NOAA, via Tropicaltidbits.com

How much snow?

Slushy snow accumulations are expected across much of Minnesota and western Wisconsin. Here are Sunday through Monday forecast snow amounts:

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Snow forecast Sunday through Monday
National Weather Service

Twin Cities metro area snow totals are expected to be mainly in the 3 to 4 inch range, with the heaviest snow Sunday evening. There may be a mix of rain and snow in some areas.

Here are forecast snow amounts in northeastern Minnesota and northwestern Wisconsin:

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Snow forecast Sunday through Monday
National Weather Service

Here are forecast snow amounts in portions of northwestern Minnesota and North Dakota:

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Snow forecast Sunday into Monday
National Weather Service

Isolated higher snow amounts are possible in areas that see banding of heavy snow Sunday evening and overnight.

You can find updated weather information for Minnesota and western Wisconsin on the Minnesota Public Radio News network, and on the MPR News live weather blog.

Winter weather advisories

Winter weather advisories continue Sunday evening into Monday morning across much of Minnesota and western Wisconsin:

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Winter weather advisories (blue) continue Sunday evening into Monday morning
National Weather Service

In the Twin Cities metro area, the winter weather advisory continues from Sunday evening until 11 a.m. on Monday:

URGENT - WINTER WEATHER MESSAGE National Weather Service Twin Cities/Chanhassen MN 605 PM CST Sun Mar 5 2023 ...SNOW ACCUMULATES TONIGHT, WITH LIGHTER SNOW BUT CONTINUED IMPACTS DURING THE MONDAY MORNING COMMUTE... .The bulk of the snow accumulations are expected this evening into early Monday morning, with mainly lighter accumulations by daytime Monday. Snowfall rates of 1 inch to 1 1/2 inches per hour are expected as a band of heavy snow lifts through the region this evening. The Monday morning commuter period is going to be the main concern due to wet slushy snow and gusty winds. The wet and heavy nature of the snow means that even locations that see lower snow amounts will likely still see travel impacts. MNZ051-058>063-066-068>070-076>078-WIZ024-026-061230- /O.CON.KMPX.WW.Y.0012.000000T0000Z-230306T1700Z/ Sherburne-Meeker-Wright-Hennepin-Anoka-Ramsey-Washington-McLeod- Carver-Scott-Dakota-Le Sueur-Rice-Goodhue-Pierce-Pepin- Including the cities of Elk River, Litchfield, Monticello, Minneapolis, Blaine, St Paul, Stillwater, Hutchinson, Chanhassen, Chaska, Victoria, Shakopee, Hastings, Le Sueur, Faribault, Red Wing, River Falls, and Durand 605 PM CST Sun Mar 5 2023 ...WINTER WEATHER ADVISORY REMAINS IN EFFECT UNTIL 11 AM CST MONDAY... * WHAT...Snow expected. Total snow accumulations of 2 to 4 inches. * WHERE...Portions of eastern Minnesota and western Wisconsin in and around the Twin Cities metro area. * WHEN...From 4 PM this afternoon to 11 AM CST Monday. * IMPACTS...Plan on slippery road conditions. The hazardous conditions could impact the morning commute. PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS... Slow down and use caution while traveling. The latest road conditions for the state you are calling from can be obtained by calling 5 1 1. Road conditions can also be found at 511mn.org for Minnesota or 511wi.gov for Wisconsin.

Winter weather advisories begin Sunday evening in northeastern Minnesota:

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Winter weather advisories (blue) Sunday evening into Monday afternoon
National Weather Service

Here are advisory details for Duluth and southern Lake County plus northwestern Wisconsin:

URGENT - WINTER WEATHER MESSAGE National Weather Service Duluth MN 244 PM CST Sun Mar 5 2023 MNZ020-037-WIZ001>004-061015- /O.CON.KDLH.WW.Y.0017.230306T0200Z-230307T0000Z/ Southern Lake-Carlton and South St. Louis-Douglas-Bayfield- Ashland-Iron- Including the cities of Two Harbors, Silver Bay, Duluth, Superior, Washburn, Bayfield, Ashland, and Hurley 244 PM CST Sun Mar 5 2023 ...WINTER WEATHER ADVISORY REMAINS IN EFFECT FROM 8 PM THIS EVENING TO 6 PM CST MONDAY... * WHAT...Snow expected. Total snow accumulations of 3 to 5 inches. * WHERE...In Minnesota, Southern Lake and Carlton and South St. Louis Counties. In Wisconsin, Douglas, Bayfield, Ashland and Iron Counties. This includes the Tribal Lands of the Bad River Reservation, the Red Cliff Band, the northwestern area of the Lac du Flambeau Band and the Fond du Lac Band. * WHEN...From 8 PM this evening to 6 PM CST Monday. * IMPACTS...Travel could be very difficult. Patchy blowing snow could significantly reduce visibility. The hazardous conditions could impact the Monday morning and evening commute. PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS... Slow down and use caution while traveling. The latest road conditions can be obtained by calling 5 1 1. Road conditions can also be found at 511mn.org for Minnesota or 511wi.gov for Wisconsin.

Parts of North Dakota have a winter storm warning:

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Advisories (blue) and warnings (red) continue Sunday evening into Monday
National Weather Service

The winter weather advisory in Detroit Lakes and Fergus Falls continues Sunday evening through Monday morning: -

URGENT - WINTER WEATHER MESSAGE National Weather Service Grand Forks ND 1205 PM CST Sun Mar 5 2023 MNZ027-028-030>032-040-061800- /O.CON.KFGF.WW.Y.0013.230306T0000Z-230306T1800Z/ West Becker-East Becker-West Otter Tail-East Otter Tail-Wadena- Grant- Including the cities of Detroit Lakes, Wolf Lake, Fergus Falls, Perham, New York Mills, Parkers Prairie, Henning, Battle Lake, Wadena, Menahga, Elbow Lake, Hoffman, Ashby, Herman, and Barrett 1205 PM CST Sun Mar 5 2023 ...WINTER WEATHER ADVISORY REMAINS IN EFFECT FROM 6 PM THIS EVENING TO NOON CST MONDAY... * WHAT...Snow expected. Total snow accumulations of 2 to 4 inches. Winds gusting as high as 30 mph. * WHERE...Portions of west central Minnesota. * WHEN...From 6 PM this evening to noon CST Monday. * IMPACTS...Plan on slippery road conditions. Patchy blowing snow could significantly reduce visibility. The hazardous conditions could impact the morning commute. PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS... Slow down and use caution while traveling. The latest road conditions for North Dakota can be found at travel.dot.nd.gov and for Minnesota at 511mn.org, or by calling 5 1 1 in either state.

Check forecast updates this evening and overnight if you have to travel.

Monday highs will be mainly in the 30s:

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Monday forecast highs
National Weather Service

Twin Cities metro area highs are projected to reach the upper 30s on Tuesday, followed by mid 30s Wednesday and Thursday then lower 30s on Friday.

Storm later this week?

Some forecast models show the potential for heavy snow in Minnesota and Wisconsin Thursday afternoon into Friday and Friday evening. Check forecast updates later this week.

Programming note

You can hear my live weather updates on MPR News at 7:35 a.m., 9:35 a.m. and 4:39 p.m. Saturday and Sunday.

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