Thanksgiving Travel: Wednesday snow

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Twin Cities NWS weather depiction calls for snow Wednesday.

A clearer weather picture is beginning to emerge for Thanksgiving travel, and it includes snow on the road to Grandmother's house Wednesday.

The second in our 1-2 punch of wet weather this week will bring snow to much of southern Minnesota and Wisconsin. Right now it appears accumulations will be on the lighter side from the Twin Cities west. There could be more significant snow in Wisconsin as the system winds up Wednesday and Wednesday night.

The bottom line is travelers should expect rain changing to snow Wednesday morning. Snow could peak in intensity Wednesday afternoon and evening. With warm ground I expect 1" to 2" possible in the metro, with the best chance of 3" or 4" from the east metro into Wisconsin. If everything comes together, there could be a pocket of heavier snow (3" to 5") in western Wisconsin from Eau Claire to Tomah to Madison by Thanksgiving morning.

Sunshine should return to Minnesota for Thanksgiving Day as the weather improves dramatically this weekend. Black Friday looks excellent, with sunny skies and milder air flowing in from the southwest.

Here's a rundown of the travel forecast for Thanksgiving weekend.

Wednesday: Rain to snow in Minnesota and western Wisconsin. Temperatures steady in the 30s. Northwest winds of 10 to 20 mph with higher gusts. Slushy snow accumulation of 1" to 3" by Thanksgiving morning. Best chance for 3" snow in the east metro and western Wisconsin. Roads mostly wet, but there could be some slick travel after dark and overnight as roads being to ice up a bit.

Thanksgiving Day: A few icy roads in the morning. Clouds give way to bright sun. Breezy and cool. Highs in the 30s.

Black Friday: Sunny and milder. Highs return to the 40s.

Saturday: Sunny and mild again High 45.

Sunday: Partly cloudy. Chance of snow northwest and north-central Minnesota High 40.

PH