Updated warnings and advisories for today and tonight

A low pressure system will track to our south this Sunday and Sunday night, bringing snow to southern and central Minnesota. The heaviest snow is expected over southern Minnesota.

The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration’s Global Forecast System model shows the possible snow pattern, and the areas that could see the highest snow totals:

Purple shaded areas indicate potential accumulations of more than 6 inches.

I wouldn’t be surprised if the far northeastern part of the 7 county Twin Cities metro area ends up with 2 to 3 inches of snow, while the far southwest metro sees some 4 to 6 inch totals.

Here is a summary of this winter storm, from the Twin Cities office of the National Weather Service:

West-central through southeastern Minnesota have a winter storm warning.  The warning runs from 10 a.m. today to 7 a.m. Monday in southwestern Minnesota and parts of west-central Minnesota, and from 1 p.m today to 1 p.m. Monday in southcentral Minnesota.  The winter storm warning is from 1 p.m. today to 7 p.m. Monday in southeastern Minnesota.

Here are some details of the winter storm warning:

URGENT - WINTER WEATHER MESSAGE

National Weather Service Twin Cities/Chanhassen MN

425 AM CDT Sun Mar 12 2017

...HEAVY SNOW TODAY INTO MONDAY ACROSS PARTS OF CENTRAL AND

SOUTHERN MINNESOTA AND WEST CENTRAL WISCONSIN...

.A winter storm warning is in effect Sunday afternoon through

Sunday night along the Minnesota River Valley in west central

Minnesota to the I-90 corridor in south central Minnesota. A

winter weather advisory is now in effect north of the warning up

to the I-94 corridor, including Alexandria, St Cloud, the Twin

Cities metro, and Eau Claire.

Snowfall accumulations of 6 to 9 inches are expected within the

warning, with 3 to 6 inches anticipated within the advisory area.

Snow will begin moving into western Minnesota this morning, and

spread eastward to reach the Twin Cities and Eau Claire this

afternoon. The heaviest snow is expected this afternoon and

evening, with snowfall slowly tapering off from northwest to

southeast Sunday night into Monday morning.

MNZ054>057-064-065-067-073>075-082-091-121730-

/O.CON.KMPX.WS.W.0003.170312T1500Z-170313T1200Z/

Lac Qui Parle-Swift-Chippewa-Kandiyohi-Yellow Medicine-Renville-

Sibley-Redwood-Brown-Nicollet-Watonwan-Martin-

Including the cities of Madison, Benson, Montevideo, Willmar,

Granite Falls, Olivia, Gaylord, Redwood Falls, New Ulm, St Peter,

St James, and Fairmont

425 AM CDT Sun Mar 12 2017

...WINTER STORM WARNING REMAINS IN EFFECT FROM 10 AM THIS MORNING

TO 7 AM CDT MONDAY...

* Snow will quickly move in this morning, with the heaviest snow

expected during the afternoon and evening. Snow will slowly

taper off after midnight Sunday night.

* Total snow accumulations of 6 to 9 inches are possible.

* Significant reductions in visibility are possible, along with

patchy blowing snow.

* Plan on difficult driving conditions.

Precautionary/Preparedness actions...

A winter storm warning for snow means severe winter weather

conditions are expected. If you must travel...keep an extra

flashlight...food and water in your vehicle in case of an

emergency. The latest road conditions for the state you are

calling from can be obtained by calling 5 1 1.

A winter weather advisory covers areas to the north of the winter storm warning, including the Twin Cities metro area.

Here are some advisory details, from the NWS:

MNZ060-068>070-121730-

/O.EXT.KMPX.WW.Y.0009.170312T1800Z-170313T1500Z/

Hennepin-Carver-Scott-Dakota-

Including the cities of Minneapolis, Chaska, Shakopee,

and Hastings

425 AM CDT Sun Mar 12 2017

...WINTER WEATHER ADVISORY NOW IN EFFECT FROM 1 PM THIS AFTERNOON

TO 10 AM CDT MONDAY...

* Snow will quickly move in after noon, with the heaviest snow

expected during this afternoon and evening. Snow will slowly

taper off late Sunday night into Monday morning.

* Total snow accumulations of 3 to 6 inches are expected.

* Plan on difficult driving conditions Sunday afternoon and

evening.

PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...

A Winter Weather Advisory for snow means that periods of snow

will cause primarily travel difficulties. Be prepared for snow

covered roads and limited visibilities...and use caution while

driving.

The winter weather advisory starts at 1 p.m. in the Twin Cities metro area, it begins at 7 a.m. in west-central Minnesota.

Updates

Minnesota Public Radio will keep you updated on this winter storm.

Updated weather information will also be posted on the MPR news live weather blog.

You can also check with the Twin Cities office, La Crosse, WI office and Sioux Falls, SD office of the National Weather Service for weather updates. The NWS sites have clickable maps for the forecast at your specific location.

The Minnesota Department of Transportation and Wisconsin Department of Transportation will have current road conditions.

Programming note

You can hear my live weather updates on Minnesota Public Radio at 7:49 a.m. Fridays, and at 7:35 a.m. and 4:35 p.m. each Saturday and Sunday.

There will also be a live weather update at 9:35 a.m. today.