Regional Weather view.
Attention is turned to a storm that has the potential to be a major winter storm in the Upper Midwest. Significant accumulations of at least 6 inches is possible across most of the Upper Midwest including Central Wisconsin, Southern & Northern Minnesota and northern Iowa. Very heavy, major snowfall totals are possible in Eastern Minnesota Central & Western Wisconsin and Upper Michigan. Very winter conditions are expected behind the storm bringing near Blizzard conditions to parts of the region. Sunday a very cold arctic airmass will slide south, proving single digits highs for areas which could be impacted by major snowfall.
Local View
Note: This storms has been very difficult to forecast for, changing it’s track significant the past weeks. Due to this, I am still not completely certain where the track of the low will be. This could cause forecast snow totals to incorrect if a change in the storms track should occur. Due to this storms significant impact potential I released this forecast early even with it’s uncertainty. There will be no long term forecast.
A Major winter storm is set to impact the Upper Midwest. And bring the highest snowfall accumulation the local 6 county area has seen in resent years. This storm has the potential to significantly impact peoples lives in the area with heavy snowfall, high accumulations and strong winds causing significant and drifting blowing snow. Also behind the storm very cold air will flood in, which would only add to the already significant conditions.
I will time it out the storm the way it looks now. Friday will be mostly cloudy during the daytime hours, Winds will increase from the Southeast, temperatures will be fair an in the 20s. Friday evening is when this storm will start to effect the area in the form of Light snow. It should start around 9PM or after, winds and temperatures should not be a problem yet. Snow will begin to become moderate to heavy early Saturday morning and could even be very heavy causing near blinding conditions at times from 2AM 11AM Saturday . 1-2 inch per our snowfall rates and thundersnow can not be ruled out. To make madders worse wind will be blowing causing near white-out, blizzard conditions at times Saturday morning and afternoon. after 11am snow should decrease to light to moderate, but cold winds will increase out of the NW will be strong likely causing significant blowing and drifting, Travel will be very difficult to impossible especially on Saturday.
Cold Temperatures
Saturday night it will still be windy but visibility should begin to improve slightly, but just as this happens a very cold arctic air mass will be funnelling down from the northwest. Wind chills as cold as -20.F below zero could occur Saturday Night with lows around the upper single digits below zero. Sunday will be very cold, and their coldest levels of the season by far. Highs will only be in the very low single digits, with any wind chill making it feel much colder. Sunday Night temperatures will plunge well below zero and could approach as cold as -20 in a few locations, most locations will be in the mid teens below zero.
Snowfall Accumulation-Major in some areas
I’ve upped amounts due to the consistency in the forecast models. Widespread Winter storm value accumulations over 7″ will likely be experienced at every location in the area. Northern Burnett and Washburn counties look to be the area with the least accumulations but least amounts are still in the significant category high, 8-10 inches are likely here. 12 or more inches are likely in Southern Burnett & Washburn counties. The highest accumulation of 12-17 or more will be centered directly over the central area. and will be experienced in Polk, Barron, St Croix and Dunn counties. Places like Amery, Osceola, Rice Lake, New Richmond, Hudson & River Falls as well as Menomonie will see these amounts. The Clayton area will also likely be impacted by these amounts. With these very high amounts and strong winds of 30MPH or stronger causing blowing and drifting, snow drifts twice as high as actual accumulation will be common.
Friday, Cloudy becoming breezy. Highs in the low 20s, Light snow developing in the evening. Last travel plans should be made now. Friday Night, Snow, becoming moderate. Lows in the low teens.
Saturday, Colder, Snow heavy to very heavy at times with blowing snow, Near blinding conditions. Winds gusting to 30MPH at times. Cold wind chills. Saturday Night, Light snow with blowing snow, Windy, winds up to 20MPH and wind chills near -20.F with lows in the low single digits below zero. Total snowfall accumulations of 8-17 inches-entire area.
Sunday, Very Cold! Partly Cloudy then clearing. Highs in the low single digits. Wind chills around -10.F Sunday Night, Very Cold, clear skies. Lows in the mid 10s blow zero to around -20.F below zero.
Other local forecast blogs are covering this major storm and can be found here
Dirks Forecasting Center-Rice Lake area
Tim’s
Weather Blog-Duluth/Superior area
Thanks for the shout out Derek, should be an exciting storm 🙂
Just starting to snow here in Oshkosh. 🙂