Updraft® - Minnesota Weather News

Twin Cities rain shifts to snow overnight; 3-6 inches possible by Saturday

Wintry mix to heavy snow for much of central, northern Minnesota this week

Winter storm warnings and advisories 33
Updated winter storm warnings and advisories
Twin Cities National Weather Service office

Phase 1 of this week’s long-duration wintry storm came in on cue Tuesday. The radar lit up with colors indicating rain (green), sleet, ice (red) and snow (blue).

Winter weather warnings

A wide variety of winter weather warnings are in effect across our region. You can see on the map below how much area this storm covers. Winter weather advisories are in blue. Winter storm warnings are pink. Blizzard warnings are red.

Winter storm warnings and advisories 5
Winter storm warnings and advisories
National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration

Phase 1

The first phase of this storm continues into Wednesday morning. Precipitation was mostly rain in the Twin Cities Tuesday. It will change to mostly snow overnight into early Wednesday morning.

Overall snowfall accumulations by Wednesday morning will likely be between 1 and 3 inches in the Twin Cities. Heavier snowfall totals of between 3 and 10 inches will fall north of the Twin Cities through St. Cloud, Brainerd, and Duluth.

Snowfall projection for the Twin Cities area
Snowfall projection for the Twin Cities area and most of central Minnesota
Twin Cities National Weather Service office

Here’s a look at snowfall totals for northwestern Minnesota, including the Red River Valley:

Snowfall projection for northwest Minnesota
Snowfall projection for northwestern Minnesota
Grand Forks, N.D., National Weather Service office

And here’s a look at forecast snowfall totals for northeastern Minnesota, including Duluth and the North Shore:

Snowfall projection for northeast Minnesota
Snowfall projection for northeastern Minnesota
Duluth National Weather Service office

Phase 2

We’ll catch a lull in the snowfall Wednesday across much of Minnesota. But as the system slides east, intermittent snowfall will continue Thursday and Friday.

Overall the Twin Cities could pick up 3 to 6 inches by Friday night. Snowfall totals of up to a foot are likely across much of northern and central Minnesota. The heaviest snow will fall along the North Shore.

Snowfall projection for Minnesota
Snowfall projection for Minnesota
National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration

A few models crank out even more snow for the Twin Cities.

Stay tuned.