Tracking snow, wind and colder days ahead
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We're currently in the transition period between the balmy 40s that started the week and much colder days ahead, with some communities seeing a subzero high temperature on Saturday. The weather system responsible for this page turn will also provide fresh snowfall and gusty winds.
In terms of accumulation, we'll see periods of snow come and go Thursday through Friday night with small amounts gradually adding up to our final totals Saturday morning, which should be between 1 and 3 inches in the Twin Cities.
Amounts drop off looking west of the Interstate 35 corridor. The greatest amounts will be in northeastern Minnesota into Wisconsin.
Thursday's snow impacts will be greatest in northeastern Minnesota, where a widespread 1 to 3 inches could fall by 6 pm. Between about 11 a.m. and 3 p.m., a quick round of light accumulation could graze the Twin Cities, with the best chance east of I-35 and north of Interstate 94.
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Central and southern Minnesota will see light snow accumulation Thursday evening and overnight.
The better chance for a coating in the Twin Cities begins after 7 p.m. and sets us up for a slick Friday morning commute. Portions of western Wisconsin could approach 3 inches through Thursday night.
Another factor for travel Friday will be blowing snow and reduced visibility from strong northwest winds.
Peak gusts of 40 to 50 mph are possible in western and southern Minnesota with 30 mph gusts further east. The strongest winds could provide near-whiteout conditions.
With arctic air arriving Friday night as gusty winds lingering, wind chill values going into Saturday morning may warrant cold weather advisories.
We’ll want to enjoy what we have in the short-term. Temperatures gradually rise near 30 Thursday, hover in the upper 20s overnight, then fall through the day Friday.
Sunday could bring another quick hit of light snow followed by a second punch of cold air, leading to a frigid start to next week. Overall, a return to average temperatures is not currently in the forecast for the rest of January.
