Mix to snow Friday afternoon and evening; chance of a Saturday mix
Some of us saw the sunrise this Friday morning. We haven't been able to say that very often in recent days!
Clouds are rolling back in, and precipitation will spread across much of Minnesota Friday afternoon and continue into Friday night.
Precipitation forecast
We could see mostly snow in west-central and central Minnesota Friday afternoon, with a rain-snow mix in parts of the Twin Cities metro area. The mix is expected to change to all snow at some point.
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Snow continues in most of west-central Minnesota Friday evening, then tapers off Friday night. Periods of snow are likely in much of central Minnesota and the Twin Cities metro area Friday evening and overnight Friday night.
The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration’s High-Resolution Rapid Refresh model shows the potential precipitation pattern Friday and Friday evening:
Green areas in the simulated radar loop indicate rain, blue areas are snow.
The color chart to the right of the loop refers to the strength of the signal that returns to the radar, not to the amount of rain or snow.
Snow could linger in parts of eastern Minnesota until about daybreak on Saturday.
Southern and central Minnesota could also see some rain-snow showers during the daylight hours on Saturday, and periods of snow are expected in northern Minnesota.
Snow amounts and advisories
The highest snow totals (generally 3 to 4 inches) are expected to fall from west-central Minnesota through a portion of east central Minnesota:
Accumulation totals will depend on the timing of the changeover from rain or a rain-snow mix to all snow.
Some spots in the far northern portion of the Twin Cities metro area could see 2 or 3 inches of snow by late Friday night.
Lighter amounts, around 1 inch or so, are possible for the remainder of the metro area.
Winter weather advisories have been issued for the areas where the highest snow totals are expected:
Here are the details of the advisory for Anoka County, which runs from 1 p.m. Friday to 7 a.m. Saturday:
URGENT - WINTER WEATHER MESSAGE
National Weather Service Twin Cities/Chanhassen MN
359 AM CDT Fri Nov 3 2017
...SNOW DEVELOPING THIS AFTERNOON AND CONTINUING OVERNIGHT...
.An area of snow will develop across parts of west central and
central Minnesota this afternoon and spread east into portions of
west central Wisconsin tonight. Snow could accumulate to 1 to 3
inches from near Morris to Cambridge between 1 PM and 6 pm.
Moderate to heavy snow could occur across central Minnesota by
early evening with snowfall rates around an inch an hour. The snow
will spread into west central Wisconsin tonight. Total
accumulation from 2 to 4 inches is likely north of a line from
Benson...to Anoka and Chetek Wisconsin.
A Winter Weather Advisory is in effect from 1 PM until 5 AM
Saturday for much of central Minnesota. A Winter Weather Advisory
is in effect for a small part of east central Minnesota into west
central Wisconsin from 1 PM until 7 AM Saturday. The snow will
taper off from west to east through 7 am Saturday.
MNZ045-052-061-031700-
/O.NEW.KMPX.WW.Y.0014.171103T1800Z-171104T1200Z/
Kanabec-Isanti-Anoka-
Including the cities of Mora, Cambridge, and Blaine
359 AM CDT Fri Nov 3 2017
...WINTER WEATHER ADVISORY IN EFFECT FROM 1 PM THIS AFTERNOON TO
7 AM CDT SATURDAY...
* WHAT...Snow expected to develop into the area mainly after 3
PM. Plan on slippery road conditions by evening. Total snow
accumulations of 2 to 4 inches are expected.
* WHERE...Kanabec, Isanti and Anoka County.
* WHEN...1 PM today to 7 AM Saturday.
* ADDITIONAL DETAILS...Expect reduced visibilities at times.
PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...
A Winter Weather Advisory for snow means periods of snow will
cause primarily travel difficulties. Be prepared for snow covered
roads and limited visibilities, and use caution while driving.
The latest road conditions for the state you are calling from can
be obtained by calling 5 1 1.
You can check with the Minnesota Department of Transportation for the latest Minnesota road conditions.
Temperature trends
Friday afternoon highs are expected to be in the 30s across most of Minnesota.
On Saturday, a few lower 40s are possible in the south:
Highs Sunday will range from the 20s northwest to the 40s southeast:
Looking ahead, the Twin Cities metro area should see highs in the 30s Monday and Tuesday, followed by highs in the 40s Wednesday through Friday of next week.
Programming note
You can hear my live weather updates on Minnesota Public Radio at 7:49 a.m. Thursdays and Fridays, and at 7:35 a.m., 9:35 a.m. and 4:35 p.m. each Saturday and Sunday.