Blizzard rages: Roads shut, hurricane-force winds down trees on the North Shore
Blizzard conditions for much of Minnesota into Saturday morning.
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Our well-advertised blizzard delivered in spades Friday. Weather satellites can see the blizzard plume running more than 1,100 miles form Winnepeg to Ohio and beyond.
Highways in southern and western Minnesota were closed. Sustained 40 mph winds with 51 mph gusts whipped fluffy snow into a raging ground blizzard with visibility less than 1/4 mile to near zero at times.
And hurricane-force wind gusts over 70 mph along the North Shore in and around Grand Marais downed trees and created weather havoc.
Blizzard warnings continue until 6 a.m. Saturday across much of the eastern Dakotas, western and southern Minnesota, Iowa, Wisconsin and Michigan.
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URGENT - WINTER WEATHER MESSAGE National Weather Service Twin Cities/Chanhassen MN 128 PM CST Fri Dec 23 2022 ...GROUND BLIZZARD AND DANGEROUSLY COLD CONDITIONS CONTINUES THROUGH SATURDAY MORNING FROM WEST CENTRAL INTO SOUTH CENTRAL MINNESOTA... ...TRAVEL TODAY THROUGH SATURDAY MORNING COULD BE IMPOSSIBLE AND LIFE-THREATENING...
.Dangerous blizzard conditions are ongoing from west central through south central Minnesota. Widespread wind gusts of 35 to 45 mph are causing significant blowing and drifting snow, with many counties now removing plows from the road in these counties. For much of central and east central Minnesota into western Wisconsin, gusts of 30 to 40 mph are leading to areas of blowing and drifting snow are resulting in hazardous travel conditions, but not blizzard conditions.
This event could be life-threatening if you are stranded with wind chills in the 30 below to 45 below zero range. Please avoid traveling, especially within the Blizzard Warning. In addition, heavy snow remaining on trees from the last storm and strong winds arriving could result in tree damage and power outages as temperatures drop below zero.
Including the cities of Morris, Glenwood, Madison, Benson, Montevideo, Willmar, Granite Falls, Olivia, Redwood Falls, New Ulm, St James, and Fairmont
128 PM CST Fri Dec 23 2022 ...BLIZZARD WARNING REMAINS IN EFFECT UNTIL 6 AM CST SATURDAY... ...WIND CHILL WARNING REMAINS IN EFFECT UNTIL NOON CST SATURDAY...
* WHAT...For the Blizzard Warning, blizzard conditions. Winds gusting as high as 50 mph. For the Wind Chill Warning, dangerously cold wind chills. Wind chills as low as 40 below zero.
* WHERE...Portions of central, south central, southwest and west central Minnesota.
* WHEN...For the Blizzard Warning, until 6 AM CST Saturday. For the Wind Chill Warning, until noon CST Saturday.
* IMPACTS...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.
PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS... Travel should be restricted to emergencies only. If you must travel, have a winter survival kit with you. If you get stranded, stay with your vehicle. Avoid outside activities if possible. When outside, make sure you wear appropriate clothing, a hat, and gloves. The latest road conditions for the state you are calling from can be obtained by calling 5 1 1. Road conditions can also be found at 511mn.org for Minnesota or 511wi.gov for Wisconsin.
Winter weather advisories and wind chill warnings cover the Twin Cities and much of the area.
Including the cities of Minneapolis, Blaine, St Paul and Stillwater
128 PM CST Fri Dec 23 2022
...WINTER WEATHER ADVISORY IN EFFECT UNTIL 6 AM CST SATURDAY... ...WIND CHILL ADVISORY REMAINS IN EFFECT UNTIL NOON CST SATURDAY... ...WINTER STORM WARNING IS CANCELLED...
* WHAT...For the Wind Chill Advisory, very cold wind chills. Wind chills as low as 35 below zero. For the Winter Weather Advisory, blowing snow. Winds gusting as high as 40 mph.
* WHERE...Hennepin, Anoka, Ramsey and Washington Counties.
* WHEN...For the Wind Chill Advisory, until noon CST Saturday. For the Winter Weather Advisory, until 6 AM CST Saturday.
* IMPACTS...Widespread blowing snow could significantly reduce visibility. The cold wind chills could cause frostbite on exposed skin in as little as 30 minutes.
This storm is not over.
Please be smart and safe as we move through the overnight hours into Saturday morning. Travel conditions will still be very difficult Saturday until winds ease in the afternoon and road crews can clear roads.
Weekend forecast
Weather will improve Saturday afternoon into midday Sunday.
A Clipper system will produce some snow Sunday afternoon and Sunday night. NOAA’s NAM 3 km model tracks the system between noon Sunday and midnight Monday.
The heaviest snowfall will favor southwest Minnesota, but it appears some accumulation is likely in the Twin Cities. It’s early but model suggests another plowable event is possible.
Stay safe this weekend, Minnesota.