Snowstorm update
Southern Minnesota will see the highest snow accumulations this Sunday afternoon and Sunday night, as a low pressure system passes to our south.
The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration’s Global Forecast System model shows the projected snow pattern, and the areas that could see the highest snow totals:
Purple shaded areas indicate potential accumulations of more than 6 inches.
Plumes from several forecast models show an average of about 4 inches of snow for Minneapolis-St. Paul International Airport (airport id KMSP):
Create a More Connected Minnesota
MPR News is your trusted resource for the news you need. With your support, MPR News brings accessible, courageous journalism and authentic conversation to everyone - free of paywalls and barriers. Your gift makes a difference.
The Twin Cities metro area could see a wide range of snow totals from Sunday afternoon through Sunday night.
I wouldn’t be surprised if the far northeastern part of the 7 county Twin Cities metro area ends up with 2 to 3 inches of snow, while the far southwestern part of the metro area ends up with some 4 to 5 inch totals.
A change in the track or speed of the low pressure system will change snow amounts in Minnesota and western Wisconsin, so check for forecast updates.
Warnings and advisories
Here's a summary of this winter storm, from the Twin Cities office of the National Weather Service:
Winter storm warnings are in effect for much of southern Minnesota this Sunday afternoon through Sunday night.
The winter storm warning runs until 7 a.m. Monday in southwestern Minnesota and parts of west-central Minnesota, and until 1 p.m. Monday in southcentral Minnesota. In southeastern Minnesota, the winter storm warning continues until 7 p.m. Monday.
Here are some winter storm warning details:
URGENT - WINTER WEATHER MESSAGE
National Weather Service Twin Cities/Chanhassen MN
1059 AM CDT Sun Mar 12 2017
...HEAVY SNOW TODAY INTO MONDAY ACROSS PARTS OF CENTRAL AND
SOUTHERN MINNESOTA AND WEST CENTRAL WISCONSIN...
.A winter storm warning remains in effect this afternoon through
tonight along the Minnesota River Valley in west central
Minnesota to the I-90 corridor in south central Minnesota. A
winter weather advisory is in effect north of the warning up to
the I-94 corridor, including Alexandria, St Cloud, the Twin Cities
metro, and Eau Claire.
Snowfall accumulations of 6 to 10 inches are expected within the
warning, with 3 to 6 inches anticipated within the advisory area.
Snow, heavy at times, will spread into south central Minnesota
this afternoon. Snow will move into the Twin Cities early this
afternoon, and Eau Claire by mid to late afternoon. The heaviest
snow is expected this afternoon and evening, with snowfall rates
of around an inch an hour likely in the warning area. The snow
will slowly taper off from northwest to southeast tonight into
Monday morning.
MNZ076-077-083>085-092-093-130000-
/O.CON.KMPX.WS.W.0003.170312T1800Z-170313T1800Z/
Le Sueur-Rice-Blue Earth-Waseca-Steele-Faribault-Freeborn-
Including the cities of Le Sueur, Faribault, Mankato, Waseca,
Owatonna, Blue Earth, and Albert Lea
1059 AM CDT Sun Mar 12 2017
...WINTER STORM WARNING REMAINS IN EFFECT UNTIL 1 PM CDT MONDAY...
* Snow will develop early, with the heaviest snow expected this
afternoon into the evening. Snowfall rates around an inch an
hour expected. Snow will slowly taper off late tonight into
Monday morning.
* Total snow accumulations of 6 to 10 inches are possible.
* Significant reductions in visibility are possible, along with
patchy blowing snow.
* Plan on difficult driving conditions.
Precautionary/Preparedness actions...
A winter storm warning for snow means severe winter weather
conditions are expected. If you must travel...keep an extra
flashlight...food and water in your vehicle in case of an
emergency. The latest road conditions for the state you are
calling from can be obtained by calling 5 1 1.
A winter weather advisory covers areas to the north of the winter storm warning, including the Twin Cities metro area.
Here are some details of the winter weather advisory, from the Twin Cities office of the NWS:
MNZ060>063-068>070-130000-
/O.CON.KMPX.WW.Y.0009.170312T1800Z-170313T1500Z/
Hennepin-Anoka-Ramsey-Washington-Carver-Scott-Dakota-
Including the cities of Minneapolis, Blaine, St Paul, Stillwater,
Chaska, Shakopee, and Hastings
1059 AM CDT Sun Mar 12 2017
...WINTER WEATHER ADVISORY REMAINS IN EFFECT UNTIL 10 AM CDT
MONDAY...
* Snow will quickly move in after noon, with the heaviest snow
expected during this afternoon and evening. Snow will slowly
taper off late tonight into Monday morning.
* Total snow accumulations of 3 to 6 inches are expected.
* Plan on difficult driving conditions developing this afternoon
and evening.
PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...
A Winter Weather Advisory for snow means that periods of snow
will cause primarily travel difficulties. Be prepared for snow
covered roads and limited visibilities...and use caution while
driving.
Parts of northeastern Minnesota are in a winter weather advisory Sunday evening and Sunday night:
Details of the advisory:
URGENT - WINTER WEATHER MESSAGE
National Weather Service Duluth MN
1200 PM CDT Sun Mar 12 2017
...SNOW FOR THE NORTH SHORE AND THE CITY OF SUPERIOR THIS EVENING
THROUGH MONDAY...
.Parts of the North Shore along with the city of Superior will
receive several inches of snow, including the Duluth and Two
Harbors area. Snow will spread into the region from west to east
this afternoon, with most of the snow falling tonight through
early Monday morning. Higher amounts of snow are possible if the
snow band becomes stationary.
MNZ020-037-130300-
/O.CON.KDLH.WW.Y.0012.170313T0000Z-170314T0000Z/
Southern Lake/North Shore-Carlton/South St. Louis-
Including the cities of Two Harbors, Silver Bay, and Duluth
1200 PM CDT Sun Mar 12 2017
...WINTER WEATHER ADVISORY REMAINS IN EFFECT FROM 7 PM THIS
EVENING TO 7 PM CDT MONDAY...
* LOCATIONS...Duluth to Silver Bay.
* TIMING...7 PM this evening until 7 PM Monday.
* SNOW ACCUMULATIONS...3 to 5 inches with locally higher amounts.
* IMPACTS...The snow will create snow covered roads and poor
travel conditions.
PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...
A winter weather advisory for snow means that accumulating snow
will cause travel difficulties. Be prepared for snow covered
roads and reduced visibility and use caution while driving. Allow
extra time to reach your destination.
Updates
Minnesota Public Radio will keep you updated on this winter storm.
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, Duluth 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 and Wisconsin Department of Transportation will have current road conditions.
Programming note
You can hear my live weather updates on Minnesota Public Radio at 7:49 a.m. Fridays, and at 7:35 a.m. and 4:35 p.m. each Saturday and Sunday.