Winter Strikes Back: Red River Valley Blizzard; Colder air sweeps in

January Thaw continued for all but far NW Minnesota Friday

5th straight day above freezing at MSP Friday!

+6F Temps running close to +6F vs. average at MSP so far this month

Return to January as cold front finally slams through Minnesota early Saturday

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Blizzard Warnings up for the Red River Valley into Saturday

Winter Storm Warnings including Fargo, Thief River Falls & Roseau

5" to 10" snowfall likely in Red River Valley & NW Minnesota by Saturday PM

Sub-Zero wind chills return this weekend as Canadian air sweeps in

Near 0F in the metro by Sunday morning

-15F to -20F in northern Minnesota this weekend

Wintery air here to stay for most of next week

Brief "mini-thaw" next Wednesday?

Image: snowcrystals.com

Winter Strikes Back: Tale of two forecasts

As the Twin Cities slogs through puddles Friday night, the Red River Valley is getting hammered by Blizzard conditions.

Image: WxUnderground

URGENT - WINTER WEATHER MESSAGE

NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE GRAND FORKS ND

250 PM CST FRI JAN 11 2013

...MAJOR WINTER STORM THROUGH SATURDAY MORNING...

INCLUDING THE CITIES OF...CROOKSTON...EAST GRAND FORKS...

HALLOCK...WARREN...CANDO...LANGDON...CAVALIER...MADDOCK...LEEDS...

DEVILS LAKE...GRAFTON...NEW ROCKFORD...LAKOTA...GRAND FORKS...

COOPERSTOWN...FINLEY...MAYVILLE...VALLEY CITY...ADAMS

250 PM CST FRI JAN 11 2013

...BLIZZARD WARNING NOW IN EFFECT UNTIL NOON CST SATURDAY...

THE BLIZZARD WARNING IS NOW IN EFFECT UNTIL NOON CST SATURDAY.

* MODERATE TO HEAVY SNOW WILL OCCUR. SNOW ACCUMULATIONS FROM 4 TO

7 INCHES...WITH ISOLATED HIGHER AMOUNTS...ARE EXPECTED.

* NORTH WINDS FROM 30 TO 35 MPH WITH GUSTS UP TO 45 MPH WILL

RESULT IN WIDESPREAD BLIZZARD CONDITIONS. VISIBILITY WILL BE

REDUCED TO ONE QUARTER MILE OR LESS IN BLOWING AND DRIFTING

SNOW...MAKING TRAVEL NEAR IMPOSSIBLE.

* WIND CHILL VALUES WILL BE 25 TO 35 BELOW ZERO SATURDAY MORNING.

5" to 10" snowfall totals and high winds will make for difficult..to impossible travel in the Red River Valley into at least Saturday PM.

Wintery air returns this weekend with sub freezing...and some sub-zero temps and wind chills for all of Minnesota. The thaw is over...get ready for a return to January" in Minnesota for most of next week.

Positive sign of the times?

I knew the economy is improving, but I can't recall the last time I saw a sign like this one on my way to hockey Friday night.

Image: Paul Huttner - MPR News

Hooray!

Have a great weekend.

PH