Winter storm warnings in northern Minnesota

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Welcome to the 16th storm in about 19 weeks Minnesota. That’s how incessantly active our weather pattern has been for the past four-plus months going back to Dec. 1. 

Our latest storm brings mostly rain to central and southern Minnesota, but it will produce another blast of April ice and heavy snow across northern Minnesota. Yes, it’s spring. But the weather maps don’t seem to observe our made-up seasons. 

It’s awkward to talk about “winter” storms as we move deeper into spring, but winter best describes the type of weather that will occur across the Northland Thursday and Friday. 

Winter storm watches will likely be upgraded to warnings later Wednesday afternoon across most of northern Minnesota. Here’s the view from the 

Here’s the view for the Red River Valley and northwestern Minnesota from the 

Grand Forks, N.D., National Weather Service office.

Overall snowfall across Minnesota will be the most significant north of a jagged line from Fargo, N.D., to Brainerd to Duluth. You can see from the map at the top of this post that more than a foot looks likely as you approach the Canadian border regions.

Ice will also fall with this storm across a good chunk of northern Minnesota. 

The Twin Cities picked up three-tenths (.3) of an inch of rainfall with Wednesday morning’s first storm wave. We’re getting a break with just scattered showers between low-pressure waves for most of the day, but another wave of rain arrives Wednesday night into Thursday. 

The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration’s High-Resolution Rapid Refresh model shows the next rain wave developing Wednesday evening and moving northeast through Thursday. Note the transition to snow up north.

The forecast model loop below runs between 7 p.m. Wednesday and 7 p.m. Thursday. 

Last week’s record warmth was a fleeting preview, but blustery weather will dominate through the upcoming weekend. Highs will be mostly in the 30s north and 40s south.

Weather and Climate News

Updraft® - Minnesota Weather News

Paul Huttner

Author

It’s awkward to talk about “winter” storms as we move deeper into spring, but winter best describes the type of weather that will occur across the Northland Thursday and Friday.

Next storm brings more rain south and heavy snow and ice north

Go Deeper.

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