Lots of widespread rain; blizzard for NW Minnesota
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A powerful March-like winter storm with a great deal of moisture is racing into Minnesota Tuesday morning.
Areas of rain have been breaking out across central and southern parts of the state. Here is the radar image from the MPR News weather page at 9 a.m. on Tuesday:
Additional moisture will feed into the storm and produce heavy rain at times. Afternoon thunderstorms are possible.
Many areas, especially in southern and eastern Minnesota, are likely to pick up more than half an inch of rainfall. Some spots could exceed an inch. These would be remarkable rainfalls for February.
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Snow in the northwest
Snow will break out in northwestern Minnesota Tuesday afternoon. Rain will change over to snow in northern and western Minnesota Tuesday evening and then for the rest of the state Tuesday night.
High temperatures for Tuesday will be from the mid-30s to mid-40s.
Blizzard
Blizzard warnings have been issued for parts of west central and northwestern Minnesota for Tuesday night into Wednesday morning.
Only 2 to 5 inches of snow are forecast for the red areas below, but a wind forecast to gust in excess of 50 mph will severely limit visibilities overnight and into Wednesday. The added hazard of temperatures falling below freezing to produce an icy flash freeze might make travel impossible.
Winter weather advisories for rather small amounts of snow but blustery winds causing blowing snow and falling temperatures producing icy roads have been posted for the rest of the western half of Minnesota for Tuesday night into Wednesday morning.
Snow will end Wednesday morning. The Twin Cities are likely to pick up less than an inch of the white stuff.
Turning colder
Temperatures will fall on Wednesday. Standing water and fresh snowfall will flash freeze, likely causing much ice and dangerous driving and walking.
Thursday will be the coldest day before temperatures begin to moderate on Friday.
Another mild weekend likely
Next weekend is likely to be another fairly mild one. Temperatures should warm above normal again.
