Wintry mix spreads across Minnesota

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Our four-day practice session for summer ended early Saturday. A chilly rain will, unfortunately, contribute to an increased risk of river flooding.

Until early on Saturday, forecast models had been indicating that just a wisp of snow was likely to grace the Twin Cities area and much of eastern Minnesota on Sunday. 

Saturday’s runs of several useful models, however, have been pointing to higher probabilities of accumulating snow over central and eastern parts of the state.

The latest models have been indicating an area of rain to spread northward out of Iowa Saturday night and change over to snow as the night cools. In the Twin Cities area, snow should begin after midnight and possibly have a burst of heavier snow toward sunrise.

Winter weather advisories will go into effect for much of eastern Minnesota at various times Saturday night. In the Twin Cities area, the advisory will be in effect from midnight Saturday until 10 p.m. Sunday.

Actual snowfall amounts can be fickle when it falls on warm ground in mid-April. A best estimate as of late Saturday afternoon is for the likelihood of several inches for the Twin Cities area and most of central and eastern Minnesota, with some of it melting on contact. 

Somewhat greater amounts could fall north of the metro area. The map below shows some general forecast amounts from the National Weather Service. Note that the ranges are unusually large due to the seasonal uncertainty.

Strong winds will increase during the day and are likely to gust to more than 40 mph in open areas of eastern Minnesota and into western Wisconsin Sunday afternoon and Sunday night. Visibility could become quite limited and impact travel.

A winter storm warning has been posted for Sunday and Monday for Lake and Cook counties of northeastern Minnesota where several inches of snow could be accompanied by a glaze of freezing rain and blustery winds. 

A winter storm warning will also be in effect for the northwestern corner of Wisconsin for 6 inches or more of snow and strong winds Sunday and Monday.

Sunday will be chilly with afternoon high temperatures from the mid-30s north to the low 40s south. Monday will bring better snowmelt with highs mostly in the 40s to some mid-50s in the southwest. Tuesday will be closer to normal.

Yep, it looks like another spring storm could be on tap for next Wednesday-Thursday. This one could also start out as rain and change over to enough snow to get your attention.

Weather and Climate News

Updraft® - Minnesota Weather News

Bill Endersen

Author

A rainy Saturday is increasing the risks of major spring flooding across the region. Messy snow is likely on the storm’s backside for Sunday.

Rainy Saturday; another wintry whack on Sunday

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