Heavier snow and blizzard conditions in the forecast
The morning forecast models are continuing to shift the heavier snow in the upcoming winter storm farther to the north. They also are indicating a somewhat longer period of snow. As a result, the forecast amounts of snow have been increased, especially in and around the metro area.
The short version at this time is that snow will track northeastward from Iowa into southern Minnesota early tomorrow morning and reach the Twin Cities by late morning.
This will be a significant winter storm with heavy snowfall and serious blowing and drifting in open areas, especially along the Interstate 90 corridor in southwestern and south central Minnesota where a blizzard warning is in effect for tomorrow and tomorrow night. Travel conditions will deteriorate rapidly after the snowfall begins.
Widespread snowfall amounts of approximately 6 to 12 inches are likely in central and southern Minnesota, generally south of a line from Redwood Falls through the Twin Cities to Cumberland, Wis., with the greatest amounts in the southeastern corner where a winter storm warning has been posted beginning tomorrow morning.
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Snowfall amounts in those open areas across the south will be less important than the strength of the wind which will gust over 40 mph and reduce visibilities to near zero at times. Travel will become difficult or impossible in portions of southern Minnesota as the winds increase tomorrow.
Most of the Twin Cities metro area is now included in a winter storm warning beginning at 9 a.m. Tuesday and continuing Tuesday night.
While the morning commute will have no weather problems, the evening commute is likely to be extremely slow. Forecast snowfall totals for the metro area range from 2 to 4 inches in the northernmost suburbs to 6 to 9 inches on the south side. The cities of Minneapolis and St. Paul are likely to pick up around 5 to 8 inches.
Most of the snow will fall during the day and evening tomorrow with just some scattered light snow tapering off later Tuesday night.
Here are the warnings that the National Weather Service has posted so far.
