Regional weather view.
A strong clipper system will cause a few issues in the Upper Midwest for the start of the weekend. A low pressure system will slide southeast, and bring heavy snow with it. Significant accumulations are possible in Northeast Iowa, Far southeastern Minnesota, Northern Illinois, and Southern Wisconsin. It clears out Saturday, and even warms up for Sunday just in time for another weather system to move into the region.
Local and Metro views.
Note: This forecast has been updated and amounts in Northern and Central areas have been increased slightly. Amounts in the south have remained the same.
Get ready for snow with in our resent bout of Winter here in Southern Minnesota. This system will become a pretty big story across our area as a strong clipper system will impact the area starting late tonight which has the chance to bring significant accumulations to parts of our area. Snow will develop late tonight lasting into Friday evening, with Heavy snow possible. Winds should not be a huge problem, and the snow type will be light and fluffy. Highs will otherwise be in the mid upper single digits to lower 10s. The snow will end Friday Evening and it will even be clear and sunny for Saturday, with chilly highs in the middle 10s. Sunday, we have yet another chance of snow with a warm up near the 30s for highs. I will not go into details of this one yet, I will see how this one turns out. Snowfall Accumulations and expected effects
Although this storm will not be huge, its effects could be be felt quite hard to some becuase of the lack of snow we’ve had so far this winter. Heavy snow is possible across the entire area espesscailly Friday morning to mid morning, but depending upon where you are will mean the difference in what you get. The highest Accumulations, and best chance for significant totals will be highest near the Iowa boarder for communities such as Austin, Preston and Harmony. Here 5+ inches are likely. Slightly north 3 to as much as 5 inches will be the rule, for cities like Dodge Center, the Rochester metro area and Winona. If you go even further north, totals will slack off even more 2-3″ is likely for Cannon Falls and Red Wing areas. Travel impacts will probably be an issue, espesscailly for central and southern areas as heavy snow will be possible very close to if not during the morning rush. Residents in the area, espesscailly in southern and central should prepare for a typical system with heavy snow.
Friday, Snow lasting through the day tapering to flurries late. Heavy snow in the morning. then cloudy with highs in the 10s. Friday Night, Clear skies lows in the mid single digits below zero, Total Accumulation 2-3″ north, 3-5″ central areas, and around 5″ or more southern areas.
Saturday, Chilly, sunny skies, highs in the mid to upper 10s. Saturday Night, Increasing clouds lows in the lower 10s.
Sunday, Warmer, A chance of snow. Minor accumulations possible. Highs in the upper 20s. Sunday Night, A chance of snow, minor accumulations possible. Lows in the mid 20s
Looking Ahead
The models have been pretty consistent on bringing more snow to the local area on Sunday, but there is some disagreement on if there could be some rain mixed in. This is part of the reason why I will not make any guesses at this time. It looks warmer next week then this week has bee, but it will cool off slightly Monday as snow ends with breezy conditions. There will be another chance of light snow with a warm front Wednesday the 25th, as warmer air begins to invade. It’s invasion is short lives as another cold front moves Monday the 30th with another chance at light snow. The models increase storm activity towards the start of February, when it looks like we may have a least a chance or two at more snowfall. More on this later.