Major Winter Storm targeting our area Sunday 12-18″ poss. Heavy, and blowing snow at times. Updated X1

Regional Weather View

A Major Winter Storm is targeting the Upper Midwest that looks very strong, will focus all attention. Major snowfall accumulations are likely to be widespread in areas of Northern South Dakota, Southern North Dakota, Western and East Central Minnesota and Western and East central Wisconsin. with the highest accumulation in central MN and Western WI here 20 inches is possible. South of there for far southern South Dakota, Minnesota, Northern Iowa and Southern Wisconsin could end out with either a significant sleeting event or possibly, an ice storm. South of that Southern Iowa will be warm enough near 60.F that they will see just plain old rain and thunderstorms!

Local View

A powerful Major winter storm is likely to hit the local area Sunday into Monday with very heavy snow major accumulations and very gusty winds. A low pressure system with plenty of gulf moisture will pass to our south in Iowa, and spread snow, heavy at times across our area. Snow will not start until the morning hours early Sunday morning. By sunrise, it should be snowing in all areas. Sunday afternoon the progression and strengthening of this storm will likely allow for snow to be heavy at times especially in mid morning afternoon hours, If convection forms close enough thunder snow would be possible. At this same time winds will strengthen and become strong out of the NNE, winds will be gusting to 35MPH at times, Which will causing significant cant blowing and drifting snow. Monday, especially early will not be much of an improvement. Moderate to heavy snow at times will still be possible, and the snow doesn’t look to let up until Monday afternoon. Any wind left over would blow around the newly fallen snow. By Monday night things will finally improve, skies will clear and lows will fall into t he single digits. The good news is arctic air will not follow this storm and Tuesday temperatures actually will moderate some as we look towards sunshine and highs in the upper 20s and lows in the low teens.

Major Snowfall accumulations

Every Computer model I’ve seen continue to show very high snowfall totals across the area, due to the consistent updates, I’ve once again upped my expected amounts. This storm will be a dangerous winter storm, which will impact the entire area with significant conditions. The area I expect to see the highest totals will be south of the pink line on the map above, Here I’ve up the total to 12-18″ For Southern Burnett/Washburn and Northern Polk/Barron counties I’m upped to 9-14″ With 6-12″ falling in the rest of Burnett and Washburn counties. Temperatures during most of the snow will be in the upper 20s to near 30.F with little temp changes at night, this would mean the snow will be heavy and wet in nature, The threat of falling tree limbs or power lines increases.

Sunday, Snow starting early Sunday morning, Becoming moderate to heavy at times in the morning after sunrise into the afternoon, Windy with blowing and drifting snow and winds gusting to 35MPH at times. Highs in the upper 20s. Sunday Night, A good chance of snow, Moderate to heavy at times, winds gusting to 25MPH, lows in the low 20s.

Monday, A good chance of snow early, possibly moderate at times, before tapering just after 12pm, Windy, north winds gusty to 25MPH at times, blowing and drifting snow. Total storm accumulations 12-18″ south 5-14″ north. highs in the low 20s. Monday Night, Cloudy, lows in the mid single digits.

Tuesday, Warmer, Partly Cloudy with highs in the upper 20s. Tuesday Night Partly cloudy with lows in the low teens.

Looking Ahead

The looking ahead forecast will not be released tonight due to focus being directed to this upcoming Winter Storm. I will mention though, another storm system-possibly another winter storm may cause issues by the middle to end of the upcoming week, but because it is still far away, it is way too early to tell if it will make impacts in Western Wisconsin.

Other blogs are covering this Major winter storm for there respective areas here is a link to there warning pages and forecasts.

Dirks Forecasting Center-Northwest Wisconsin

The Weather Den– Eastern Minnesota/Northern Twin Cities Suburbs

Tims Weather blog-Northeastern Minnesota-Northern Wisconsin