Regional View.

A large weather system will organize and pass through the Upper Midwest. Right now the models show the low passing mainly to the west, before moving East and Southeast Sunday. This will bring Snow and even just plain old Rain across the Upper Midwest.

Local View.

a Large Weather System will bring a mixed bag of precipitation to our local area, It will start out as Freezing Rain Friday and early Saturday, Then it will change over to plain old Rain Saturday afternoon and overnight, then it will change to Snow on Sunday as cooler air moves in. We will also have Windy conditions with this system This is what it’s looking like right now.

Freezing Rain

Freezing Rain will start late Friday night and last into early Saturday, Ice accumulation does look likely, people should still be Very careful on roads, just a little ice on roads can make driving conditions very dangerous. Ice accumulation will likely be around 0.10 but higher accumulation could be possible, if this is the case, people should watch for falling branches from weak, or diseased trees. The best chance of encountering ice on roads will be from late tonight to through Saturday at 12 noon I would say, also Winds will start to pick up from the Southeast Saturday and could be gusty at times.

Rain

This is unusual for late January, but not for these types of weather systems, Saturday Afternoon, Temperatures will rise well above freezing, and freezing rain will turn to just plain old rain, we could get as much as nearly a half inch of plain rain! This on top of our thick snow pack will probably make snow melt very fast, People should watch for some ponding from melting snow and rain. The best chance of rain will be in Central and Southern areas but I believe all locations will see rain, plain Rain will last from Saturday afternoon through Saturday Night, and could even be moderate at times, We will also have Gusty winds from the southeast gusting over 30MPH at times.

Snow

Sunday, Colder air will work into this system and Rain will turn to a wet snow, Minor accumulations are likely, the highest snowfall accumulation will be over Burnett and Washburn Counties, where as much as 3-5 inches are possible. I would say maybe 2-4 inches total accumulation for Southern and Central areas, Rain and Freezing rain will hold down snow accumulations significantly. Snow will be most likely from Sunday afternoon through parts of our Moderate, and could become moderate at times. daily forecast below.

Friday Night, Freezing Rain starting late, more likely in the early morning hours, lows in the upper 20s Breezy winds from the southeast.

Saturday, Freezing Rain early, watch for icy roads and falling branches from weak trees, Freezing Rain changing over to Rain in the afternoon, Rain could me Moderate at times, Gusty southeast winds to near 30MPH at times, Highs in the upper 30s. Saturday Night, Rain Likely Rain could be moderate at times, Gusty southeast winds, lows in the low to mid 30s.

Sunday, Rain early Changing over to a Wet snow late, Minor snowfall accumulations, Highs in the mid 30s, Before temps falling in the afternoon. Sunday Night, Light to Moderate Snow, Lows falling into the low 20s

Monday, Cooler, light snow likely, possible Moderate at times, Total snowfall accumulations 2-5 inches. Highs in the Mid 20s. Monday Night, Colder, Light Snow, before Ending then cloudy, Lows in the mid single digits.

Due to the significance of this system, I’ll be updated this forecast through the weekend.