Major winter storm today

This is an early look at the major winter storm advancing across Minnesota this Monday morning. Here are some key features:

  • Areas of mixed precipitation of rain (with thunderstorms!), sleet and snow moved into Minnesota Sunday night

  • The mixed precipitation will transform over to all snow during the day today, generally from west to east

  • This will be a high-impact storm for Minnesota

  • Heavy, wet snow with snowfall rates of 1 inch per hour are likely after the transition, especially this afternoon

  • Forecast snowfalls are uncertain due to the complexity of the storm and the presence of mixed precipitation, but amounts will be quite significant across much of Minnesota.

  • Greatest amounts, possibly around a foot, are most likely north of the metro area, maybe between St. Cloud and Mille Lacs

  • Winds will be strong. Speeds in excess of 30 mph are likely to cause blowing and drifting in open areas this afternoon

  • The evening commute in the Twin Cities will be very slow

Warnings and advisories

Winter storm warnings have been posted until 6 a.m. Tuesday for a large part of Minnesota. A winter weather advisory for lesser amounts of expected snow has been posted to the north, east and southwest.

Mar 5 - WSW
Winter storm warnings and winter weather advisories in effect. National Weather Service

Here is a look at how Monday might play out for the Twin Cities and surrounding areas. Note the increase in blue color, representing snow, as the mixed precipitation changes to all snow.

Mar 5 - fcst radar mpx
Forecast of Monday's precipitation. Twin Cities National Weather Service

I will have an additional weather broadcast on MPR at approximately 6:48 a.m. today and will post more on Updraft a bit later.

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