Snow Saturday night as winds really ramp up; howling winds on Sunday

Many locations in Minnesota and western Wisconsin will have window-rattling winds late Saturday night through Sunday afternoon.

And there will be snow, with the heaviest snow from southeastern Minnesota through north-central Wisconsin.

The big picture

The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration’s North American Mesoscale forecast model shows the potential precipitation pattern from Saturday evening through Sunday 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.

Notice the wintry mix over southeastern Minnesota Saturday evening. The snow should end by sunrise on Sunday in the metro area, but the very strong winds will stay with us though most of the day.

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.

Snow potential

There's expected to be a sharp drop in snow amounts to the northwest of the swath of heavy snow:

"This evening and tonight" in the graphic refer to Saturday evening and overnight Saturday night.

I estimate that the final overnight snow tallies by sunrise on Sunday could range from about two inches in the far northwest corner of the Twin Cities metro area to around six inches in the far southeast. It'll be hard to measure the snow, due to strong winds!

Notice the band of double-digit snow potential from southeastern Minnesota to north-central Wisconsin.

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6:40 p.m. Update:

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You can check snow accumulations as they are posted by the National Weather Service. Hover over a location on the National Weather Service snow map site to see the snow total and the time of observation.

Howling winds

The winds will really ramp up Saturday night, and very strong winds will continue through Sunday.

That is why blizzard warnings have been issued for a large portion of Minnesota and parts of Wisconsin:

Keep in mind that you don’t need a lot of falling snow to prompt a blizzard warning; here’s the NOAA blizzard warning definition:

Blizzard Warning

A Blizzard Warning means that the following conditions are occurring or expected within the next 12 to 18 hours.

1) Snow and/or blowing snow reducing visibility to 1/4 mile or less for 3 hours or longer

AND

2) Sustained winds of 35 mph or greater or frequent gusts to 35 mph or greater.

There is no temperature requirement that must be met to achieve blizzard conditions.

There’s plenty of snow on the ground all across Minnesota. Some of that snow cover will be picked up by the fierce winds Saturday night into Sunday.

Details of the blizzard warnings, which include Scott and Dakota counties of the south metro from 9 p.m. Saturday until 6 p.m. Sunday:

URGENT - WINTER WEATHER MESSAGE

National Weather Service Twin Cities/Chanhassen MN

302 PM CST Sat Feb 23 2019

...DANGEROUS WINTER STORM EXPECTED TONIGHT THROUGH SUNDAY...

.A very strong low pressure system is expected for tonight

through Sunday when accumulating snow plus significant blowing

snow will impact travel, including blizzard conditions for much of

southern and western Minnesota and into western WI.

A Blizzard Warning is in effect Saturday evening through Sunday

afternoon for most locations in Minnesota and Wisconsin along and south

of I-94. This includes southern portions of the Twin Cities

metro, away from more suburban areas. Within the Blizzard Warning,

snow accumulations will range from less than an inch in western MN

to 6 to 10 inches along Interstate 90 and into west central WI,

primarily south and east of the Twin Cities. The snow is expected

from late Saturday afternoon through the early morning hours

Sunday, followed by strong winds of 30 to 40 mph with gusts to

near 50 mph for most of the day Sunday. This will lead to whiteout

conditions, making travel very difficult and likely impossible in

the open areas of western, central, and southern Minnesota, and

far western Wisconsin.

A Winter Storm Warning is in effect Saturday evening through

Sunday afternoon for St Croix, Barron, Rusk, Chippewa, and Eau

Claire counties. Within the Winter Storm Warning, snow

accumulations of 6 to 12 inches can be expected with localized

higher amounts possible, especially in the Eau Claire area. The

snow is expected Saturday evening through Sunday morning, followed

by strong winds of 20 to 30 mph with gusts to 40 mph for most of

the day Sunday. This may produce areas of blowing and drifting

snow, making travel difficult for portions of far southeastern

Minnesota into west central Wisconsin.

A Winter Weather Advisory is in effect for the counties along and

north of I-94 for the potential of 1 to 3 inches of snow and very

strong wind. Winds could gust as high as 40 to 45 mph which could

lead to very low visibility, blowing and drifting snow, and

dangerous travel.

MNZ067-069-070-074>076-240515-

/O.CON.KMPX.BZ.W.0003.190224T0300Z-190225T0000Z/

Sibley-Scott-Dakota-Brown-Nicollet-Le Sueur-

Including the cities of Gaylord, Shakopee, Hastings, New Ulm,

St Peter, and Le Sueur

302 PM CST Sat Feb 23 2019

...BLIZZARD WARNING REMAINS IN EFFECT FROM 9 PM THIS EVENING TO

6 PM CST SUNDAY...

* WHAT...Blizzard conditions expected. Total snow accumulations of

2 to 5 inches expected. Winds gusting as high as 45 to 50 mph.

* WHERE...Portions of central, east central and south central

Minnesota.

* WHEN...From 9 PM Saturday to 6 PM CST Sunday.

* ADDITIONAL DETAILS...Travel will be very difficult or

impossible late Saturday night into Sunday.

PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...

A Blizzard Warning means severe winter weather conditions are

expected. Falling and blowing snow with strong winds and poor

visibilities are likely. This will lead to whiteout conditions,

making travel extremely dangerous. Do not travel. If you must

travel, have a winter survival kit with you. If you get stranded,

stay with your vehicle.

The latest road conditions for Minnesota can be found at

511mn.org and for Wisconsin at 511wi.gov, or by calling 5 1 1 in

either state.

The blizzard warning in Carver county of the southwest metro starts at midnight Saturday night.

Minneapolis and St. Paul, plus the northern part of the metro area, are in a winter weather advisory from midnight Saturday night through 6 p.m. Sunday.

Here are the advisory details:

MNZ060>062-240515-

/O.UPG.KMPX.WS.A.0008.190224T0600Z-190225T0000Z/

/O.NEW.KMPX.WW.Y.0019.190224T0600Z-190225T0000Z/

Hennepin-Anoka-Ramsey-

Including the cities of Minneapolis, Blaine, and St Paul

302 PM CST Sat Feb 23 2019

...WINTER WEATHER ADVISORY IN EFFECT FROM MIDNIGHT TONIGHT TO

6 PM CST SUNDAY...

* WHAT...Snow expected. Total snow accumulations of 1 to 2 inches

expected. Winds gusting as high as 45 mph.

* WHERE...Hennepin, Anoka and Ramsey Counties.

* WHEN...From midnight tonight to 6 PM CST Sunday.

* ADDITIONAL DETAILS...Plan on slippery road conditions. Blowing

snow could significantly reduce visibility.

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 due to blowing and drifting snow, 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 5 1 1 in

either state.

Snow amounts will change if the projected storm track is adjusted.

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9 P.M. Update

The NWS has issued a winter storm warning that includes Hennepin, Ramsey, Washington  and Anoka counties overnight and until 6 p.m. on Sunday.

Here's the winter storm discussion, followed by the winter storm warning details:

URGENT - WINTER WEATHER MESSAGE

National Weather Service Twin Cities/Chanhassen MN

854 PM CST Sat Feb 23 2019

...DANGEROUS WINTER STORM EXPECTED TONIGHT THROUGH SUNDAY...

.A Blizzard Warning is in effect through Sunday afternoon for

most locations in Minnesota and Wisconsin along and south of I-94.

This includes portions of the Twin Cities metro, away from more

suburban areas. A Winter Storm Warning is in effect through

Sunday afternoon for Barron, Rusk, Chippewa, and Eau Claire

counties, and from the core of the Twin Cities metro northward

along I-35. A Winter Weather Advisory is in effect for the

counties north of I-94 and west of I-35.

Snow accumulations tonight and Sunday morning will range from 9

to 13 inches southeast of line from Fairmont to Faribault and

Rice Lake. Snowfall rates in that area could exceed 2 inches per

hour. A few thunderstorms are also possible. Amounts will quickly

drop off northwest of that line with 2 to 4 inches expected in

the Twin Cities metro and an inch or less west of St. Cloud and

Redwood Falls.

Very strong northwest winds will develop later tonight across

western Minnesota and spread eastward Sunday. Wind gusts of 50 mph

are expected, which will result in widespread whiteout conditions

in the Blizzard Warning area. Travel will be very dangerous or

impossible. Widespread road closures are expected. DO NOT TRAVEL.

MNZ053-060>062-241100-

/O.UPG.KMPX.WW.Y.0019.190224T0600Z-190225T0000Z/

/O.EXB.KMPX.WS.W.0007.190224T0300Z-190225T0000Z/

Chisago-Hennepin-Anoka-Ramsey-

Including the cities of Center City, Minneapolis, Blaine,

and St Paul

854 PM CST Sat Feb 23 2019

...WINTER STORM WARNING IN EFFECT UNTIL 6 PM CST SUNDAY...

* WHAT...Heavy snow and blowing snow expected. Total snow

accumulations of 2 to 4 inches expected. Winds gusting as high

as 50 mph.

* WHERE...Chisago, Hennepin, Anoka and Ramsey Counties.

* WHEN...Until 6 PM CST Sunday.

* ADDITIONAL DETAILS...Plan on slippery road conditions.

Widespread blowing snow could significantly reduce visibility.

Gusty winds could bring down tree branches.

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 5 1 1 in

either state.

Here's the updated warning map:

"Overnight" in the title refers to the overnight hours of Saturday night.

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You can check the latest forecasts from the NWS offices in the Twin Cities,  Grand Forks, N.D., Sioux Falls, S.D., La Crosse, Wis. and Duluth.

Updated road conditions will be posted by the Minnesota and Wisconsin transportation departments.

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.