Heavy snow will snarl our commute; storm brings whiteout conditions to some areas

Our winter storm is right on schedule. Heavy snow was falling over southwestern Minnesota and parts of south-central Minnesota Friday morning, and spreading steadily northeastward.

Snow arrives in the Twin Cities metro area early Friday afternoon, with several inches expected by late afternoon and additional snow this evening. The evening commute will be slow and difficult in the metro area and much of Minnesota and western Wisconsin.

The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration’s North American Mesoscale forecast model shows the potential precipitation pattern Friday afternoon through Saturday afternoon:

Snow amounts

Forecast snow amounts in the 6 to 9 inch range are expected in many areas, with some double-digit amounts possible just to the west of the metro area and near Lake Superior:

Here’s a snow-timing chart, with areas in brackets indicating the times of heaviest snow:

A closer look at snow projections to the northeast:

Winds pick up late Friday into Saturday, and whiteout conditions are expected in some areas, especially in western Minnesota:

Warnings and advisories:

Winter storm warnings cover all of Minnesota (except Houston county in the southeast), plus western Wisconsin, this afternoon and evening. The winter storm warning becomes a blizzard warning late Friday night through Saturday in much of western Minnesota, with a winter storm warning continuing in other areas (including the Twin Cities) through Saturday:

Snow amounts Saturday will be lighter, but the winds will really crank up, gusting over 45 mph at times in western Minnesota, causing whiteout conditions. Open areas in eastern Minnesota and western Wisconsin may also see whiteout conditions at times.

Here are details on the warnings for this storm:

URGENT - WINTER WEATHER MESSAGE National Weather Service Twin Cities/Chanhassen MN 349 AM CST Fri Jan 17 2020 ...WINTER STORM WARNING TODAY AND TONIGHT FOLLOWED BY A BLIZZARD WARNING SATURDAY FOR WESTERN INTO SOUTH CENTRAL MINNESOTA... ...WINTER STORM WARNING LATE THIS MORNING THROUGH SATURDAY FOR CENTRAL AND EASTERN MINNESOTA INTO WEST CENTRAL WISCONSIN... .Heavy snow will develop across west central and southwest Minnesota after 8 am this morning. The heavy snow will then spread into central and eastern Minnesota during the late morning and early afternoon, and continue through Friday evening. Most of the snow will fall late Friday morning into Friday evening. Totals of 5 to 9 inches of snow are expected across much of central and southern Minnesota and western Wisconsin. Snow will taper off later Friday night, but very strong northwest winds gusting to 40 and 50 mph will develop on Saturday, especially in western Minnesota. Blowing snow will be widespread with near zero visibility in open country, with the worst conditions from west central into south central Minnesota. In addition, falling temperatures will lead to icy roads and very cold temperatures, especially on Saturday. This storm will impact travel. Expect snow-covered roads followed by strong winds, blowing snow and falling temperatures. MNZ043-044-050>052-059>063-068>070-077-078-085-171800- /O.CON.KMPX.WS.W.0001.200117T1800Z-200119T0000Z/ Morrison-Mille Lacs-Benton-Sherburne-Isanti-Wright-Hennepin-Anoka- Ramsey-Washington-Carver-Scott-Dakota-Rice-Goodhue-Steele- Including the cities of Little Falls, Princeton, Foley, Elk River, Cambridge, Monticello, Minneapolis, Blaine, St Paul, Stillwater, Chaska, Shakopee, Hastings, Faribault, Red Wing, and Owatonna 349 AM CST Fri Jan 17 2020 ...WINTER STORM WARNING REMAINS IN EFFECT FROM NOON TODAY TO 6 PM CST SATURDAY... * WHAT...Heavy snow expected Friday afternoon and evening. Total snow accumulations of 6 to 9 inches. Winds this afternoon will be from 20 to 30 mph, but increase on Saturday, when northwest winds will gust as high as 35 mph, with significant blowing and drifting snow in open areas. * WHERE...Portions of east central and southeast Minnesota. Generally from Lake Mille Lacs through the Twin Cities to Owatonna and Red Wing. * WHEN...From noon Friday to 6 PM CST Saturday. * IMPACTS...Travel could be very difficult. Patchy blowing snow could significantly reduce visibility in open areas. The hazardous conditions will impact the Friday afternoon commute. PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS... 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.

You can hear updated weather information on the MPR network, and you’ll see updated weather info on the MPR News live weather blog.

Temperature trends

Saturday highs will happen in the early morning, with falling temps throughout the day.

Here’s a look at temps around 1 p.m. Saturday:

Note that we’ve already dropped into the teens in the metro area by early afternoon, with single digits expected by mid-afternoon.

Wind chill temps are well below zero early Saturday afternoon…in the 20s below zero in western Minnesota:

Sunday high temps only reach the single digits:

Wind chill temps at 1 p.m. Sunday will be well below zero:

Snow depths

Even before our Friday snow, much of Minnesota had plenty of snow on the ground. Here’s the latest Minnesota snow depth map, courtesy of the Minnesota State Climatology Office and the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources:

Cross-country skiers, sledders, snowboarders and even snowmobilers all around Minnesota will have plenty of snow to enjoy, once the winds die down.

Outdoor events

Explore Minnesota has a list of many events around the state of Minnesota this weekend. The weather will be inclement on Saturday with wind, areas of snow and cold temps., Looking ahead to Sunday, one outdoor activity that might be of interest is Art Shanty Projects 2020 at Lake Harriet in Minneapolis:

According to the Art Shanty Projects web site:

Art Shanty Projects began in 2004 as an experiment in turning a traditional ice fishing house into a less conventional art studio and retreat on a frozen lake. Over 14 years and three lakes, it has grown into a much-anticipated annual festival that most recently hosted 40,000 visitors on Lake Harriet (Bde Unma) in 2018. The four-weekend event is now home to more than 20 unique shanties and over 150 artists and performers. The icy lake is transformed into a vibrant village, full of fantastical structures, bustling with musicians and performers of all kinds. Visitors of all ages embrace the cold Minnesotan winter to explore the shanties, watch performances, interact with artists, and create art of their own.

Dress warmly!