Sunday snow update; heavy snow possible Monday night into Tuesday
The snow just keeps on coming.
I drove past a neighborhood sliding hill around midday, and dozens of kids were having a great time gliding over the fresh snow on their sleds and snowboards!
It's not as much fun for those of us who are driving today.
Here's what to expect this afternoon
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The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration’s North American Mesoscale forecast model shows the potential snow pattern this Sunday afternoon and evening:
Many spots had seen between 2 and 3 inches of snow by midday, and totals could approach 5 to 6 inches in parts of the south metro and portions of western Wisconsin before it tapers off later this afternoon:
The entire Twin Cities metro area and much of southern Minnesota and western Wisconsin are included in a winter weather advisory until 6 p.m.:
Here are details of the advisory:
URGENT - WINTER WEATHER MESSAGE
National Weather Service Twin Cities/Chanhassen MN
1127 AM CST Sun Feb 10 2019
...LOCALLY HEAVY SNOW BANDS THROUGH EARLY AFTERNOON...
...SNOW DIMINISHING RAPIDLY BY MID TO LATE AFTERNOON IN
MINNESOTA...
.A Winter Weather Advisory has been expanded farther north across
west central Wisconsin due to higher snowfall amounts. The
remainder of the advisory remains the same through the afternoon,
with the exception of adding Sibley and Anoka Counties. The
advisory is roughly east and south of a line from New Ulm, to
Minneapolis, to Osceola and Cumberland Wisconsin. The advisory has
been extended into the early evening for areas along the
Wisconsin, Minnesota border, eastward into west central Wisconsin.
Snow will continue to spread across southern Minnesota, and into
west central Wisconsin through the afternoon, but begin to taper
off in southwest and south central Minnesota after 2 pm.
There will be bands of heavier snowfall, with snowfall rates as
high as 1 inch per hour likely before 2 pm. It may linger longer
in west central Wisconsin through the early evening. By this
evening, areas in the advisory will have received 2 to 4 inches of
snow, with locally highers amounts where these bands of heavier
snow falls.
The main hazard will be snow covered roads with slippery
conditions developing.
MNZ060-062-068-069-074>077-082>085-091>093-110000-
/O.CON.KMPX.WW.Y.0012.000000T0000Z-190211T0000Z/
Hennepin-Ramsey-Carver-Scott-Brown-Nicollet-Le Sueur-Rice-
Watonwan-Blue Earth-Waseca-Steele-Martin-Faribault-Freeborn-
Including the cities of Minneapolis, St Paul, Chaska, Shakopee,
New Ulm, St Peter, Le Sueur, Faribault, St James, Mankato,
Waseca, Owatonna, Fairmont, Blue Earth, and Albert Lea
1127 AM CST Sun Feb 10 2019
...WINTER WEATHER ADVISORY REMAINS IN EFFECT UNTIL 6 PM CST THIS
EVENING...
* WHAT...Snow expected. Total snow accumulations of 2 to 4
inches expected, with locally higher amounts likely.
* WHERE...Portions of west central Wisconsin and east central,
south central and southeast Minnesota.
* WHEN...Until 6 PM CST this evening.
* ADDITIONAL DETAILS...Plan on slippery road conditions.
PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...
A Winter Weather Advisory for snow means periods of snow will
cause primarily travel difficulties. Expect snow covered roads
and limited visibilities, and use caution while driving.
The latest road conditions for Minnesota can be found at
511mn.org and for Wisconsin at 511wi.gov, or by calling 5 1 1 in
As always, updated weather information can be heard on the Minnesota Public Radio Network, and you’ll also see updated weather info on the MPR News live weather blog.
You can check snow accumulations as they are posted by the National Weather Service. Hover over a location on the NWS snow map to see the snow total and the time of observation.
Updated road conditions will be posted by the Minnesota and Wisconsin transportation departments.
You can check the latest forecasts from the NWS offices in the Twin Cities, Sioux Falls, S.D., La Crosse, Wis. and Duluth.
Snowstorm potential Monday evening into Tuesday
Computer models continue to show a strong low pressure system tracking to our southeast Monday night and Tuesday, spinning plenty of moisture over Minnesota and Wisconsin.
NOAA’s North American Mesoscale forecast model shows the potential snow pattern Monday afternoon through Tuesday evening:
Some areas could see 6 or more inches of snow from the storm:
___________________________________________________________________________
3 p.m. Update
The Twin Cities metro area is included in a winter storm watch from 6 p.m. Monday to 6 p.m. Tuesday. South-central and southeastern Minnesota and much of western Wisconsin will also be in the winter storm watch.
Details:
URGENT - WINTER WEATHER MESSAGE
National Weather Service Twin Cities/Chanhassen MN
216 PM CST Sun Feb 10 2019
...HEAVY SNOW POSSIBLE LATE MONDAY AND TUESDAY...
.A Winter Storm Watch has been issued for parts of south central
and east central Minnesota and west central Wisconsin for late
Monday through Tuesday. The Watch is in effect for locations
generally east and south of a Rush City to Twin Cities to
Fairmont line, where snowfall accumulations in excess of 6 inches
appear possible. A period of freezing rain or freezing drizzle
will also be possible on Monday as the precipitation is beginning.
Blowing snow and attendant visibility reductions will also be
possible on Tuesday as northwest winds increase.
In the meantime, a Winter Weather Advisory remains in effect for
areas east and south of a line from New Ulm, to Minneapolis, to
Osceola and Cumberland Wisconsin. The advisory will extend into
the early evening for areas along the Wisconsin, Minnesota
border, eastward into west central Wisconsin. Snow covered roads
with slippery conditions will remain possible into tonight.
MNZ060>062-068-069-076-077-110430-
/O.NEW.KMPX.WS.A.0004.190212T0000Z-190213T0000Z/
/O.CON.KMPX.WW.Y.0012.000000T0000Z-190211T0000Z/
Hennepin-Anoka-Ramsey-Carver-Scott-Le Sueur-Rice-
Including the cities of Minneapolis, Blaine, St Paul, Chaska,
Shakopee, Le Sueur, and Faribault
216 PM CST Sun Feb 10 2019
...WINTER WEATHER ADVISORY REMAINS IN EFFECT UNTIL 6 PM CST THIS
EVENING...
...WINTER STORM WATCH IN EFFECT FROM MONDAY EVENING THROUGH
TUESDAY AFTERNOON...
* WHAT...Snow. Additional snow accumulations through this
afternoon of up to one inch. Total snow accumulations of 5 to 8
inches possible on Monday evening through Tuesday afternoon.
* WHERE...Portions of east central and south central Minnesota.
* WHEN...For the Winter Weather Advisory, until 6 PM CST this
evening. For the Winter Storm Watch, from Monday evening
through Tuesday afternoon.
* ADDITIONAL DETAILS...Travel could be very difficult. The
hazardous conditions could impact the morning or evening
commute.
PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...
A Winter Weather Advisory for snow means periods of snow will
cause primarily travel difficulties. Expect snow covered roads
and limited visibilities, and use caution while driving.
A Winter Storm Watch means there is potential for significant
snow, sleet or ice accumulations that may impact travel. Continue
to monitor the latest forecasts.
The latest road conditions for Minnesota can be found at
511mn.org and for Wisconsin at 511wi.gov, or by calling 5 1 1 in
either state.
____________________________________________________________________________
Check for updates.
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.