Updraft® - Minnesota Weather News

Snowfall picks up Thursday afternoon into the overnight; more snow Saturday

Highest snow totals will be across far southern Minnesota

A storefront covered in snow
The East Harriet neighborhood in Minneapolis during the last winter storm on Feb. 22. By the time the evening commute rolls around, we can expect 1 to 2 inches of fresh slushy snow, though most of that will accumulate on already-snow covered surfaces due to the mild temperatures.
Alex V. Cipolle | MPR News

Updated 9:50 a.m.

Snowfall intensity will increase Thursday into Thursday night. The most significant accumulations will be across far southeastern Minnesota where 4 to 7 inches could fall. Another round of snow accumulation moves across the state late Saturday.

Snowfall increases Thursday into the overnight

Look for snow intensity and coverage to increase through the day Thursday into the overnight thanks to an upper-level wave that’s moved out of the Rockies and is boosting an area of snow to the west.

THU_FRI precip 9
Forecast precipitation 9 a.m. Thursday through 6 a.m. Friday
NOAA, via Pivotal Weather

By the time of the evening commute we can expect 1 to 2 inches of fresh slushy snow, though most of that will accumulate on already-snow covered surfaces due to the mild temperatures. Most roadways will be wet to slushy across southern Minnesota.

thu 5pm snowfall
Forecast snowfall through 5 p.m. Thursday (evening commute time frame)
NOAA, via Pivotal Weather

The most significant snowfall totals will be across far southeastern Minnesota.

MN snow
Forecast snowfall Thursday into early Friday
National Weather Service

It’s worth noting that while the National Weather Service is still forecasting 4 to 5 inches for the Twin Cities area, many models are lower. Measuring snowfall during the day with the mild temperatures and higher sun angle (even with clouds) will be difficult.

I think 2 to 4 inches is a more likely scenario for the Twin Cities metro for total snowfall, but expect plenty of melting and compacting.

thu NT models 9
Forecast model snowfall scenarios for Thursday into Friday snowfall
NOAA, via Pivotal Weather

It will still be relatively mild Thursday across southern and eastern Minnesota with daytime temperatures above freezing for many spots.

thu max
Forecast high temperatures Thursday
National Weather Service

More snow on the way Saturday

We get a brief breather most of Friday into Saturday morning before the next snowfall develops late Saturday into early Sunday.

Sat-Sun
Forecast precipitation 12 a.m. Saturday through 3 a.m. Sunday
College of DuPage weather lab

Snowfall totals look to be heaviest this time across north-central and northwestern Minnesota but a widespread accumulation looks likely nearly statewide. Some model guidance even cuts off the southern extent of the snowfall some, so we’ll need to monitor the computers over the next 24 hours.

sat models 9
Forecast snowfall scenarios Saturday afternoon into Saturday night
NOAA, via Pivotal Weather

Temperatures next week will overall be a bit below normal, not because we’ll be cooler, but because the normal high temperatures are going up as our actual temperatures remain pretty steady.