Snow to fall throughout the day; perhaps as much as a foot by evening
Snow will continue through much of the day, with increasing winds causing near blizzard conditions in southwest Minnesota.
The National Weather Service has not changed the forecast much since last evening. Image of Warnings and Advisories from the Chanhassen NWS Office.
Source:NOAA Chanhassen NWS Office
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Orang shaded region is most likely area for severe blowing and drifting snow (Blzzard Warning for today and early tonight)
Winter Storm Warning for heavy snowfall of up to 10 inches in shaded pink area.
Lighter amounts of snow are expected in purple shaded region in southeast Minnesota.
Snowfall could tally 4 to 6 inches as far north as Duluth to Two Harbors, where a Winter Weather Advisory is in effect for today.
Snowfall amounts as of 6 a.m. CST include: 3 inches in Eden Prairie, 4.5 inches in Sacred Heart in southwest Minnesota and 6 inches in Kimball.
Snowfall amounts from specific location can be found by clicking here.
The track of the low pressure center is forecast to move along Interstate 90 from west to east today. This should keep central Minnesota and western Wisconsin in the prime area for the heaviest snowfall amounts.
NAM forecast valid at 6 p.m. CST Sunday indicating pressure gradient, temperatures at the surface, along with wind speed in direction and knots. Infer a weak low pressure circulation in south of LaCrosse, Wis., from the wind field forecast.
Source:NOAA/COD
Source:NWS Chanhassen
It is not unusual for a dry slot to develop with a snowstorm. Such was the case this morning with the snow cut off in southeast Minnesota, extending up to the Twin Cities.
Radar screen capture from around 615 a.m. CST. Source:Weather underground
Snow is likely to increase in coverage and intensity as we move through the morning hours. Expect a steady snowfall in east central Minnesota from late morning through early evening. It still appears that the potential for nearly a foot of snowfall is the highest in the north metro, including Anoka to Stillwater.
Winds are not expected to be particularly strong on the back of this snowmaking system. Temperatures will tumble into the single digits over the snowpack tonight. Be prepared for icy temperatures, perhaps subzero in some locales, on Monday morning.
Drive as conditions warrant. Travel in rural areas to the west of the Twin Cities could be particularly dangerous this morning into early afternoon.
Craig Edwards