Update on heavy snow Sunday evening into Monday in northern Minn.; metro area sees a mix, then rain
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The latest computer model info is in.
A mix of rain and snow is expected to spread across much of central and southern Minnesota this Sunday evening, with snow spreading over northern Minnesota and northwestern Wisconsin. There could be a bit of light freezing rain in the mix at times. Northern Minnesota will have snow this evening and overnight into early Monday. Southeastern Minnesota should have mostly rain from this storm.
The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration’s North American Mesoscale forecast model shows the potential precipitation pattern from Sunday evening through Monday afternoon:
The color chart to the right of the loop refers to the strength of the signal that returns to the radar, not to the amount of snow or rain.
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How much snow?
Central and southern parts of the Twin Cities metro area could see a light coating of snow that washes away when the mix changes to rain overnight. A rain/snow mix lingers longer in parts of the north metro, so a little accumulation is possible there…probably one-half inch or less.
The highest snow totals this Sunday evening into Monday morning will be over north-central and northeastern Minnesota:
The heavy snow, plus blowing snow and reduced visibilities will make travel difficult in those areas.
Substantial snow is also expected in northwestern Minnesota:
Warnings and advisories
Winter storm warnings begin at 8 p.m. this Sunday in north-central and northeastern Minnesota:
Details of the portion of the warning that includes Duluth, Hibbing and International Falls:
URGENT - WINTER WEATHER MESSAGE
National Weather Service Duluth MN
329 AM CST Sun Jan 6 2019
...WINTER STORM WILL BRING SNOW TO THE NORTHLAND TONIGHT INTO
MONDAY...
.A winter storm system is headed for the Northland. It will spread
snow through the region from west to east this evening through
early Monday afternoon. There will be widespread snowfall of at
least 3 to 5 inches from central Minnesota to northwest Wisconsin,
but areas of northeast Minnesota will get 6 to 8 inches or more.
The greatest snowfall is expected along the Minnesota North Shore
with 10 to 18 inches. There will be gusty east to southeast winds
tonight through the middle of Monday morning that will accompany
the falling snow, causing blowing snow and low visibility. Most of
the snow for the region will fall tonight before sunrise Monday
morning, but snow will continue in the morning, especially along
the Minnesota North Shore. Warm air will push into northwest
Wisconsin and east-central Minnesota late tonight into Monday
morning, causing a transition from snow, to wet snow, and then to
rain.
MNZ010-011-018-019-026-037-WIZ001-062130-
/O.UPG.KDLH.WS.A.0001.190107T0200Z-190107T1600Z/
/O.EXB.KDLH.WS.W.0001.190107T0200Z-190107T1700Z/
Koochiching-North St. Louis-North Itasca-Central St. Louis-
South Itasca-Carlton and South St. Louis-Douglas-
Including the cities of International Falls, Ely, Bigfork,
Hibbing, Grand Rapids, Duluth, and Superior
329 AM CST Sun Jan 6 2019
...WINTER STORM WARNING IN EFFECT FROM 8 PM THIS EVENING TO 11 AM
CST MONDAY...
* WHAT...Heavy snow expected. Total snow accumulations of 5 to 8
inches expected. Drifting and blowing snow from east-southeast
winds of 10 to 15 mph gusting up to 25 mph.
* WHERE...Areas of northeast Minnesota and far northwest
Wisconsin, including Koochiching, Itasca, St. Louis, Carlton,
and Douglas Counties.
* WHEN...From 8 PM this evening to 11 AM CST Monday.
* ADDITIONAL DETAILS...Travel will be very difficult. Anticipate
periods of low visibility because of the snow and blowing snow.
The hazardous conditions will affect the Monday morning
commute.
PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...
A Winter Storm Warning for snow means severe winter weather
conditions will make travel very hazardous or impossible. If you
must travel, keep an extra flashlight, food and water in your
vehicle in case of an emergency.
The latest road conditions for Minnesota can be found at
511mn.org, and for Wisconsin at 511wi.gov, or by calling 511 in
either state.
Bordering the warning area, there's a winter weather advisory that begins at 6 p.m. this Sunday:
MNZ025-034>036-038-062130-
/O.NEW.KDLH.WW.Y.0001.190107T0000Z-190107T1500Z/
North Cass-Crow Wing-Northern Aitkin-South Aitkin-Pine-
Including the cities of Walker, Brainerd, Hill City, Aitkin,
Pine City, and Hinckley
329 AM CST Sun Jan 6 2019
...WINTER WEATHER ADVISORY IN EFFECT FROM 6 PM THIS EVENING TO
9 AM CST MONDAY...
* WHAT...Snow expected. Total snow accumulations of 3 to 6 inches
expected. Drifting and blowing snow from southeast winds of 10
to 20 mph gusting up to 30 mph.
* WHERE...Areas of central and east-central Minnesota, including
North Cass, Crow Wing, Aitkin, and Pine Counties.
* WHEN...From 6 PM this evening to 9 AM CST Monday.
* ADDITIONAL DETAILS...Travel will be difficult. Anticipate
periods of low visibility because of the snow and blowing snow.
The hazardous conditions will affect the Monday morning 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.
The latest road conditions for Minnesota can be found at
511mn.org, and for Wisconsin at 511wi.gov, or by calling 511 in
either state.
A winter weather advisory also begins at 6 p.m. this Sunday in much of northwestern Minnesota:
Details of the advisory:
URGENT - WINTER WEATHER MESSAGE
National Weather Service Grand Forks ND
404 AM CST Sun Jan 6 2019
MNZ001-002-004-007-013>017-022>024-071500-
/O.NEW.KFGF.WW.Y.0033.190107T0000Z-190107T1500Z/
West Polk-Norman-Kittson-West Marshall-Pennington-Red Lake-
East Polk-North Clearwater-South Beltrami-Mahnomen-
South Clearwater-Hubbard-
Including the cities of Crookston, East Grand Forks, Ada,
Twin Valley, Halstad, Hallock, Karlstad, Lancaster, Warren,
Stephen, Argyle, Thief River Falls, Red Lake Falls, Fosston,
Fertile, McIntosh, Erskine, Bagley, Clearbrook, Bemidji,
Mahnomen, Naytahwaush, Waubun, Alida, Ebro, Lake Itasca,
Long Lost Lake, Lower Rice Lake, Roy Lake, Upper Rice Lake,
and Park Rapids
404 AM CST Sun Jan 6 2019
...WINTER WEATHER ADVISORY IN EFFECT FROM 6 PM THIS EVENING TO
9 AM CST MONDAY...
* WHAT...Snow expected. Total snow accumulations of 2 to 4 inches
expected. Light freezing rain and sleet possible. Ice
accumulations of a light glaze possible. Winds gusting as high
as 35 mph.
* WHERE...Portions of north central and northwest Minnesota.
* WHEN...From 6 PM this evening to 9 AM CST Monday.
* ADDITIONAL DETAILS...Plan on slippery road conditions. The
hazardous conditions could impact the Monday morning commute.
PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...
A Winter Weather Advisory means that periods of snow, sleet or
freezing rain will cause travel difficulties. Expect slippery
roads and limited visibilities, and use caution while driving.
The latest road conditions for the state you are calling from can
be obtained by calling 5 1 1.
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 the latest forecasts, watches and warnings from the NWS offices in the Twin Cities, Duluth and Grand Forks, N.D.
Temperature trends
Sunday afternoon highs are expected to be in the 20s across the northern third of Minnesota, with 30s in central and southern Minnesota.
On Monday, lower 40s return to the south, with 30s elsewhere:
Tuesday highs are colder:
The metro area could be near 30 early Tuesday morning, with slowly falling temps through the day.
Twin Cities metro area highs are projected to reach around 20 on Wednesday, followed by 30 on Thursday and lower 30s on Friday.
Our average Twin Cities metro area high temp is 23 degrees this time of year.
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.