Super Bowl Storm: Hefty snow totals possible
Twin Citis NWS weather story highlights low pressure track and snowfall potential.
Here we go again.
February is sending notice that it has every intention of showing January how to do winter in Minnesota. Another snow event is here, and this one looks a little unusual compared to many Upper Midwest snow storms.
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A slow moving low pressure system dropping south form Winnipeg to Sioux Falls over the next 24 hours will bring widespread light snow to the region. Snowfall from this "Manitoba Mauler" snow system will cover most of Minnesota in the next day from north to south. Winter storm warnings and winter weather advisories are flying for this storm.
While snowfall rates will be mostly light with a only few hours of moderate snow intensity, the long duration of this event will likely mean snowfall totals of 5" to 10" in many areas. The storm may produce some totals over 10" in the heaviest band, which as of now appear is may set up from Fargo to Alexandria, Willmar, Mankato to Albert Lea.
The bottom line is you can expect snow from now into Tuesday with this system. Most of it will be light, and there may be a lull or two in the storm, but it looks like it will slowly add up to several inches. The heaviest period of snow for the metro and southern Minnesota appears to be on Monday. This looks like a dry powdery snow with snow to liquid ratios around 15:1.
Expect slick AM & PM rush hours both Monday and Tuesday this week.
Here is my best estimate at this time of storm total snowfall for locations by Tuesday evening.
Red River Valley: 4" to 8"
North Central Minnesota (International Falls & Iron Range): 3" to 5"
Northeast Minnesota (Duluth & North Shore): Lake effect may produce 5" to 10" totals
West Central & central through south central Minnesota (Brainerd, Alex, St. Cloud, Willmar, Mankato, Albert Lea): This is where the heaviest snow appears to be slated for this storm. 6" to 12+" are possible in these areas.
Twin Cities Metro & Rochester: 5" to 10" with best chance for 10" totals in the west metro.
Southwest Minnesota & Sioux Falls: 3" to 6"
There is still a chance the storm could shift east a bit, and a shift of even 50-100 miles could bring the heaviest snow band over the metro.
The storm will plow through the Upper Midwest then head east and may produce heavy snow for the east coast again later this week!
GFS 96 hour total snowfall shows the huge reach of this storm.
Be ready for snow through Tuesday and stay tuned for updates as the storm develops!
Here are some sites to track the snow:
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