Growing storm: Blizzard warning extended to parts of Twin Cities area

The first piece of our two-part storm is here. This three-day event will cover most of the Upper Midwest. In fact, it will get even bigger in size and deeper as it moves into the eastern Great Lakes region this weekend.

This storm still has all the earmarks of a potentially life-threatening blizzard for much of Minnesota Thursday and Friday.

Snowfall now

Snow is expanding in covers on schedule across Minnesota Wednesday. Expect periods of light to moderate snowfall with visibilities between 1 and 2 miles in many areas.

There are also pockets of heavier snowfall with visibilities of one to three quarters of a mile moving through. These heavier snowfall pockets can produce snowfall rates of 1 to 2 inches per hour at times.

The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration’s NAM 3 km resolution model seems to have a pretty good handle on the likely progress of the snowfall zone through between 2 p.m. Wednesday and 6 a.m. Thursday.

Snowfall should end west of a line from the Iron Range to the Twin Cities by around 6 a.m. Thursday. Snow will continue in northeastern Minnesota through most of Thursday.

Snowfall totals

A large area of central and northeastern Minnesota will see 5 to as much as 10 inches of snowfall by Thursday midday. I like the looks of NOAA’s NAM 3 km resolution model as a general guide to snowfall totals through Thursday.

Here’s the National Weather Service model blend snowfall map.

Blizzard warnings expanded

The Twin Cities National Weather Service office has expanded the blizzard warning zone to include the western and southern Twin Cities counties Thursday into Saturday morning.

Including the cities of Chanhassen, Chaska, Victoria, Shakopee, and Faribault

1134 AM CST Wed Dec 21 2022

...WINTER STORM WARNING REMAINS IN EFFECT UNTIL 3 AM CST THURSDAY... ...BLIZZARD WARNING IN EFFECT FROM 6 PM THURSDAY TO 6 AM CST SATURDAY... ...WIND CHILL WARNING IN EFFECT FROM 6 PM THURSDAY TO NOON CST SATURDAY...

* WHAT...For the Winter Storm Warning, heavy snow. Total snow accumulations of 5 to 8 inches. For the Blizzard Warning, blizzard conditions expected. Winds gusting as high as 50 mph. For the Wind Chill Warning, dangerously cold wind chills expected. Wind chills as low as 40 below zero.

* WHERE...Carver, Scott and Rice Counties.

* WHEN...For the Winter Storm Warning, until 3 AM CST Thursday. For the Blizzard Warning, from 6 PM Thursday to 6 AM CST Saturday. For the Wind Chill Warning, from 6 PM Thursday to noon CST Saturday.

* IMPACTS...Travel could be very difficult or impossible. Widespread blowing snow could significantly reduce visibility. Gusty winds could bring down tree branches. The dangerously cold wind chills could cause frostbite on exposed skin in as little as 10 minutes.

* ADDITIONAL DETAILS...This could be a life-threatening situation if you get stranded traveling late this week. Consider adjusting any travel plans now.

Blizzard warnings run from near Alexandria, Minn., all the way into much of Iowa!

Wind gusts and blowing snow

Winds are fairly tame Wednesday, but they will crank up through the day Thursday and blow hard through Friday into Saturday morning. The light fluffy snow will go airborne easily. Winds will gust over 40 mph much of Thursday and Friday.

Dangerous wind chills

This is one of the coldest major winter storms I can remember. We’re already seeing subzero temperatures, and that will continue through the upcoming holiday weekend.

Wind chill will plunge into the minus 30s and minus 40s the next few days across Minnesota.

This is a very dangerous weather situation for anyone caught outside for even a few minutes the next few days.

Stay safe, Minnesota.