Rain, thunder, sleet, ice, and snow still ahead
Minnesota's weather buffet is open for business. On the menu? Rain with a side of thunder. Sleet with a freezing rain chaser. And a heaping pile of wet slushy snow.
I keep looking for a weather model that will tell me the snow is going to miss us. So far no such luck. Heavy snow is still likely over most of the southern half of Minnesota Friday night and Saturday.
Here are some storm details I've included in my internal briefing points to MPR News staff this afternoon.
Here’s the latest outlook for our inbound storm Friday and Saturday.
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Winter storm watches will almost certainly be upgraded to winter storm warnings this afternoon including the Twin Cities.
Rain develops early Friday morning across southern Minnesota. There could be some thunder.
The rain snow line likely sets up just north of the Twin Cities most of the day Friday. Mostly rain for the Twin Cities area Friday.
Rain changes to sleet and ice before converting to all snow Friday night.
Snow continues Saturday before ending late Saturday night.
Snowfall totals of 5 to 10 inches look likely for the Twin Cities. There could be some locally higher totals.
Snowfall totals of 8 to 16 inches are possible in southwestern and west-central Minnesota. This includes Madison, Redwood Falls, and Willmar.
The latest model runs continue to suggest heavy snow is on track, with gusty winds.
Expect winter storm watches to be upgraded to warnings this afternoon.