Light snow ends, clouds decrease Friday; larger weekend storm ahead
Weekend storm could bring heavier snow, rain into early next week
Updated 9:30 a.m.
Light snow showers will end and clouds will decrease Friday. Saturday will be mainly dry ahead of the larger storm that will develop snow again Saturday night into Sunday.
A dry break before larger storm develops
Many areas are waking up to a wide swath of fresh snow early Friday. Generally 2 to 4 inches fell across central and southeastern Minnesota but there was a very narrow band of heavier totals in east-central Minnesota.
In that narrow band, 6 to 8 inches fell from Clear Lake through St. Francis to Balsam Lake, Wis. Most of the Twin Cities metro area saw 2 to 4 inches.
The last lingering light snow showers will dissipate and move out. We should see decreasing clouds with some afternoon sun Friday. That strong late March sun will melt most snow off paved surfaces.
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Highs will range from the 30s south to 20s north Friday afternoon.
The breeze will pick up from the north Friday afternoon at 10-15 mph. It will be slightly higher west in the 15-20 mph range.
The big story is the next developing, larger storm system. After a dry Saturday, snow showers will develop Saturday night with heavy snow at times Sunday into Sunday night.
The snow may turn to rain in southeastern Minnesota Monday before turning back to snow Monday night into Tuesday.
Snowfall after Sunday night is still up in the air, so to speak. But for the first round, a large area of heavy snow can be expected Saturday night through Sunday night.
The good news is, regardless of precipitation type, with last night’s system and the one approaching, we’ll make significant progress against the drought if not eliminate it in many areas.
Two or more inches of liquid equivalent precipitation is possible through Wednesday. Most statewide year-to-date precipitation deficits range from 1 to 2 inches below normal.
