Storm continues; wind-driven snow Tuesday morning for Twin Cities
Blizzard and winter storm warnings continue across western and northern Minnesota
Our record-breaking March storm is not done yet. It’s still snowing across most of western, central and northern Minnesota. Tuesday morning looks like the worst rush hour of the storm for the Twin Cities and much of central Minnesota.
Our rainy Monday in the Twin Cities will change to snow as colder air rushes in behind the passing low-pressure systems early Tuesday morning.
The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration’s NAM 3 km resolution model shows the low-pressure system spinning by Tuesday.
On the map below, see how the colder air behind the storm changes rain to snow Tuesday morning?
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The likely timing for the Twin Cities for a change from a rainy, wintry mix overnight favors the hours between about 6 a.m. and 8 a.m. Tuesday.
The dynamics behind the cold front look primed to produce a burst of heavy wind-driven snow for a few hours on Tuesday morning. Combine that with temperatures below freezing and roads will likely be worse than what we saw Sunday.
Several forecast models are leaning into snowfall totals with Tuesday’s burst of snow. I’m inclined to think a few hours of heavier snow will add up to between 1 and 4 inches for much of the Twin Cities Tuesday morning.
A few models suggest the potential for up to 6 inches of snow in the northern Twin Cities by midday Tuesday.
Here’s the latest NOAA snowfall projection for Minnesota issued Monday afternoon:
Winter storm continues
For much of Minnesota, the snow continues to accumulate Monday even as the Twin Cities saw rain.
As of this writing late Tuesday afternoon the highest snowfall total I’ve seen come in from Minnesota is a whopping 17 inches a few miles southwest of Duluth:
2 NNW Gary New Duluth [St. Louis Co, MN] Cocorahs reports Snow of 17.00 Inch at 3:15 PM CDT -- Cocorahs station MNSL109 Duluth 7.9 SW. 6 additional inches since the morning observation.
Winter storm warnings continue for most of western, central, and northern Minnesota.
Including the cities of Walker, Pine River, Brainerd, Hill City, Aitkin, Duluth, and Superior
217 PM CDT Mon Mar 25 2024
...WINTER STORM WARNING REMAINS IN EFFECT UNTIL 7 PM CDT TUESDAY...
* WHAT...Heavy mixed precipitation. Additional snow accumulations of 2 to 4 inches and ice accumulations of around one tenth of an inch. Winds gusting as high as 35 mph.
* WHERE...In Minnesota, Cass, Crow Wing, Aitkin and Carlton and South St. Louis Counties. In Wisconsin, Douglas County. This includes the Tribal Lands of the Fond du Lac Band and the Mille Lacs Band, East Lake and, Big Sandy Lake areas.
* WHEN...Until 7 PM CDT Tuesday.
* IMPACTS...Plan on slippery road conditions. Patchy blowing snow could significantly reduce visibility. * ADDITIONAL DETAILS...The most likely time period for ice accumulation from freezing rain and drizzle is late tonight into early Tuesday morning.
Blizzard warnings continue for the North Shore.
Southern Lake-Southern Cook- Including the cities of Two Harbors, Silver Bay, and Grand Marais
217 PM CDT Mon Mar 25 2024
...BLIZZARD WARNING REMAINS IN EFFECT UNTIL 7 PM CDT TUESDAY...
* WHAT...Blizzard conditions. Additional snow accumulations of 4 to 7 inches and ice accumulations of one tenth to two tenths of an inch. Winds gusting as high as 40 mph.
* WHERE...Southern Lake and Southern Cook Counties. This includes the Tribal Lands of the Grand Portage Reservation. * WHEN...Until 7 PM CDT Tuesday.
* IMPACTS...Travel could be very difficult. Areas of blowing snow could significantly reduce visibility. The hazardous conditions could impact the morning or evening commute.
* ADDITIONAL DETAILS...The most likely time period for blizzard conditions are through late Monday evening.
Here’s the latest winter weather advisory language for the Twin Cities area on Tuesday morning. I’m leaning a little heavier on possible snowfall totals.
Including the cities of Center City, Minneapolis, Blaine, St Paul, Stillwater, Chanhassen, Chaska, Victoria, Shakopee, Hastings, Le Sueur, Mankato, Blue Earth, and Osceola
247 PM CDT Mon Mar 25 2024 ...WINTER WEATHER ADVISORY IN EFFECT FROM 4 AM TO 10 AM CDT TUESDAY...
* WHAT...Mixed precipitation expected. Total snow accumulations of 1 to 2 inches and ice accumulations of a light glaze. Winds gusting as high as 35 mph.
* WHERE...Portions of east central and south central Minnesota and northwest Wisconsin.
* WHEN...From 4 AM to 10 AM CDT Tuesday.
* IMPACTS...Plan on slippery road conditions. Patchy blowing snow could significantly reduce visibility. The hazardous conditions could impact the morning commute.
Expect a challenging commute Tuesday morning.