Here’s the latest on the potent winter storm that is expected to reach our area for tomorrow and Wednesday:

While there are several things that may change in the next day or so, possibly resulting in an altogether different outcome in our local weather, the current forecast outlook for the next major storm system in our region is looking a little warmer and wetter for us.  The latest forecast data suggests that the storm system moving in for tomorrow and hanging around for most of Wednesday will take a fairly northerly track, keeping us in the “warm sector” where rain, sleet, and freezing rain will be the primary concerns while the heavy snow potential will be confined to weather and northwestern Minnesota and for the eastern Dakotas.  Incidentally, some locations in that part of the region will deal with blizzard conditions tomorrow afternoon through early Wednesday as winds will then be reaching 40 miles per hour at times.

Right now, we’re expecting light snow or a mixture of freezing rain and snow to develop in the mid morning hours across the area tomorrow, making for a slippery Tuesday.  Snowfall amounts will be generally light tomorrow with little accumulation if any expected.  The freezing rain concerns will last through the afternoon and into the evening when warmer air aloft will allow for soaking cold rains to spread across the area, making it feel more like April than the last full night of February.  The rain is expected to transition to a wintry mixture or some light, wet snow for Wednesday morning and early afternoon on the back side of the storm system, possibly adding up to an inch or so of accumulation before things dry out Wednesday evening.  The greatest threat for extensive icing in this upcoming storm will be through Tuesday and into Tuesday evening when not only will things be hazardous on the roads, but power outages will be possible.  Overall snowfall totals locally, meanwhile, look to be in more of one to three inch range on theMinnesotaside of the border if in fact snow develops long enough for accumulations to occur.  The Twin Cities will likely see slightly higher amounts of snow, depending on the exact storm track and may end up with as much as six inches and as little as a couple of inches.

The current forecast thinking is for a wetter scenario where our area has lower snowfall totals and more rain and possibly ice accretion in store for Tuesday and Wednesday.

Posted under winter weather

We’re still closely monitoring a potent storm system that will likely bring our first taste of winter this season, including the first measurable snowfall and the latest data essentially confirms our previous thinking.  Today’s forecast models are continuing to indicate a transition from rain to snow Tuesdya evening with minor slushy accumulations overnight of an inch or two and then some early morning snow for the Wednesday commute before things dry out late in the morning and for the lunch hour.  It still appears that while most of it will melt on paved areas, we’ll likely measure grassy accumulations of two to five inches of heavy, wet snow before things melt away in the late day sun.  Below is one example of what some of the computer output is suggesting:

The latest data looking ahead two days suggests that we'll see two to five inches of snow accumulation. Most will fall late tonight through noon Wednesday.

Posted under winter weather

Wednesday Severe Outlook

Thursday Severe Weather Outlook

We’re running slight risks for severe weather both today (Wednesday), but moreso on Thursday. Here are some graphics for thought, and we’ll keep tabs on this as we move through today and closer to Thursday.

All modes of severe weather appear to be possible – thanks to favorable shear in the atmosphere, that includes the possibility of tornadoes.

Posted under KTTC