A Storm is born

Like anxious grandparents pacing in a hospital waiting room, meteorologists were greeted with the welcome news that the predicted snow storm has arrived. Here is the latest regional projection of snowfall potential in east central Minnesota. The heaviest snow, on the order of ten inches, is likely to fall from near Hutchinson through Princeton, Cromwell, Duluth and up to Grand Marais. To the west of that line snow accumulations will total four to six inches.

In the Twin Cities Metro area we expect a range of as much as eight inches towards Waconia and Rogers and about five inches in Woodbury. Rain may mix in with the snow along the Wisconsin and Minnesota border. Rochester to Eau Claire will endure a cold rain.

Moderate to occasionally heavy snow (visibility around a quarter mile) is expected through the day. Snow should taper this evening in the Metro, with another one to three inches possible from Anoka to Hayward. Heavy snow will extend from Duluth and along the North Shore through about midnight.

Early reports suggest that icy roadways have resulted in spin outs and accidents, particularly in the more rural areas of central Minnesota. Travel with caution. Get a feel for the road surface and be alert for rapidly changing conditions.

The Storm Prediction Centers forecast for the band of more than eight inches of snow in the next eighteen hours.

CE