Warnings begin this evening southern Minn., metro as snowstorm nears

The winter storm that we’ve been talking about for several days is almost here.

This morning's run of the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration’s Global Forecast System model still shows snow over southern Minnesota this evening, overnight and through Friday:

The heaviest snow amounts, possibly 10-14 inches, are still expected across southern Minnesota and southwestern Wisconsin.

Strong winds are expected tonight and Friday, prompting a blizzard warning that begins at 6 p.m. in far southwestern Minnesota and starts at 9 p.m. this Thursday evening for the remainder of southern Minnesota:

The blizzard warning continues through Friday and ends Saturday morning.

Here are more details of the blizzard warning:

URGENT - WINTER WEATHER MESSAGE

National Weather Service Twin Cities/Chanhassen MN

1231 PM CST Thu Feb 23 2017

...MAJOR WINTER STORM TO IMPACT SOUTH CENTRAL MINNESOTA INTO WEST

CENTRAL WISCONSIN TONIGHT INTO FRIDAY NIGHT...

.A blizzard warning is in effect for south central Minnesota,

including the Mankato area and I-90 corridor. A winter storm

warning is in effect for the southern and eastern Twin Cities

metro area and over into much of west central Wisconsin. A winter

weather advisory is in effect for for much of central Minnesota

from Redwood and Renville counties through Hennepin and Ramsey

counties, along with Polk County Wisconsin.

Snowfall totals between 12 and 15 inches are expected along and

southeast of a St. James Minnesota to Eau Claire Wisconsin line,

with a very tight gradient in snowfall totals expected northwest

of this main band.

In addition, wind speeds are expected to between 25 and 35 mph,

with gusts around 40 mph in south central Minnesota. This will

lead to significant blowing and drifting as well for south

central Minnesota, where the blizzard warning is in effect

The Friday morning and afternoon commutes are expected to be

significantly impacted.

MNZ074>076-082>085-091>093-240300-

/O.EXT.KMPX.BZ.W.0001.170224T0300Z-170225T1200Z/

Brown-Nicollet-Le Sueur-Watonwan-Blue Earth-Waseca-Steele-Martin-

Faribault-Freeborn-

Including the cities of New Ulm, St Peter, Le Sueur, St James,

Mankato, Waseca, Owatonna, Fairmont, Blue Earth, and Albert Lea

1231 PM CST Thu Feb 23 2017

...BLIZZARD WARNING NOW IN EFFECT FROM 9 PM THIS EVENING TO 6 AM

CST SATURDAY...

* TIMING...Heavy snow will develop between 8pm and 10pm tonight,

with increasing winds on Friday.

* SNOW ACCUMULATIONS...10 to 15 inches are expected.

* WINDS/VISIBILITY...Northeast to northwest 25 to 35 mph with

gusts to 45 mph resulting in considerable blowing snow and

possible whiteout conditions.

PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...

A Blizzard Warning means severe winter weather conditions are

expected or occurring. Falling and blowing snow with strong winds

and poor visibilities are likely. This will lead to whiteout

conditions...making travel extremely dangerous. Do not travel. If

you must travel...have a winter survival kit with you. If you get

stranded...stay with your vehicle.

The southern and eastern portions of the Twin Cities metro area are in a winter storm warning from 9 p.m. this Thursday evening until Saturday morning, due to heavy snow and blowing/drifting snow. From Hennepin, Ramsey and Carver counties westward, there is a winter weather advisory for snow and blowing snow from 9 p.m. this Thursday evening until Saturday morning:

Here are some details of the winter storm warning, from the NWS:

MNZ063-069-070-WIZ023>028-240300-

/O.EXT.KMPX.WS.W.0002.170224T0300Z-170225T1200Z/

Washington-Scott-Dakota-St. Croix-Pierce-Dunn-Pepin-Chippewa-

Eau Claire-

Including the cities of Stillwater, Shakopee, Hastings, Hudson,

River Falls, Prescott, Menomonie, Durand, Chippewa Falls,

and Eau Claire

1231 PM CST Thu Feb 23 2017

...WINTER STORM WARNING NOW IN EFFECT FROM 9 PM THIS EVENING TO

6 AM CST SATURDAY...

* TIMING...heavy snow will quickly spread in between 10pm and

midnight tonight.

* SNOW ACCUMULATIONS...8 to 12 inches are expected, with total

falling off quickly north of a New Prague, to Cottage Grove,

to Holcombe Wisconsin line.

* WINDS...Northeast to northwest 20 to 30 mph with gusts to 40

mph resulting in considerable blowing and drifting snow.

PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...

A Winter Storm Warning for heavy snow means severe winter weather

conditions are expected or occurring. Significant amounts of snow

are forecast that will make travel dangerous. Only travel in an

emergency. If you must travel...keep an extra flashlight...

food...and water in your vehicle in case of an emergency.

An early estimate of snow totals for the cities of Minneapolis and St. Paul would be an inch or two of snow overnight tonight, with another 2 to 3 inches on Friday.

Lesser snow amounts are expected over the northern portion of the Twin Cities metro area.

Updates

Minnesota Public Radio will keep you updated on the winter storm as it continues to develop.

Updated weather information will also be posted on the MPR news live weather blog.

You can also check with the Twin Cities office, La Crosse, WI office and Sioux Falls, SD office of the National Weather Service for weather updates. The NWS sites have clickable maps for the forecast at your specific location.

The Minnesota Department of Transportation will have current road conditions.