We’ve been dealing with some nasty, raw, rainy weather today and it’s only going to get more unpleasant and more difficult to deal with over the next couple of days thanks to the arrival of a large, dynamic storm system from the west.  We’ve already been inundated with rain from this system today and will continue to experience light to moderate rainfall through the afternoon and evening.  Because of the heavy rainfall earlier today and concerns with heavy runoff from these showers, the National Weather Service has issued a Flood Watch effective until 7:00 PM Thursday for a large portion of our viewing area.

Up to three inches of total rainfall may fall this week in the affected counties, causing localized flooding.

the next phase of this storm system will be a gradual transition to winter weather late tonight through Wednesday and Thursday.  We’ll first see a transition from rain to freezing rain late tonight into early Wednesday morning with some ice accumulation possible, especially on tree branches and power lines.  By midday and afternoon Wednesday, it looks to eb a light rain event for most of us.  There will be another changeover to sleet, freezing rain, and light snow Wednesday night with mainly snow falling by Thursday morning.  During the day Thursday three to six inches of snow may accumulate in southeastern Minnesota with heavier amounts to the north and northwest in the Twin Cities area and western Minnesota where six to twelve inches will be possible.  Locations along the Iowa border and in northern Iowa itself can expected three inches or less by the time the snow tapers off Thursday evening.

Those in the Winter Weather Advisory can expect freezing rain at times Tuesday night, through parts of Wednesday, and Wednesday night, and then three to six inches of snow Thursday. Areas south of the Winter Weather Advisory will see lighter amounts.

Posted under flooding, winter weather

A cold front is sweeping through the region today, stirring up some pretty strong northwest winds and spreading a little light snow across the Upper Mississippi Valley as cold air pours in behind it.  Winter weather headlines have been issued by the National Weather Service because of this cold front and the storm system to our east hat will plant itself in the western part of the Great Lakes in the next day or so, producing some accumulating snow for many of us.  Look for a light dusting for this afternoon with less than an inch or so of accumulation through the early evening, but a little more will develop tonight as the storm system to the east begins to get its act together a little more.  Expect an inch or so of accumulation overnight and then periods of light snow through tomorrow with strong winds blowing it around through the day, reducing visibility.  Rochester will receive an inc, perhaps two in the way of snowfall while areas to the west around Albert Lea and Mason City will see less than an inch of accumulation.  To the east, higher amounts will be expected with Winona looking at possibly three or so inches of accumulation and parts of Wisconsin on the east side of the Mississippi expecting four inches or so.  Winter Weather Advisories have been posted for late today, tonight, and much of tomorrow for areas from Rochester to the east as travel conditions may be difficult at times because of the wintry conditions.  If you’re heading to Chicago tomorrow, expect delays as heavier snow will fall through the day and up to six inches of total accumulation is expected.  Here’s a look at local snowfall forecast totals between tonight and tomorrow evening when the snow will taper off locally.

Snowfall forecast through Thursday evening. Blowing snow will create limited visibility and slick spots on local roads and highways through early Friday.

Posted under winter weather

Here are the latest reported snowfall totals to the National Weather Service in La Crosse and Chanhassen.

Some light freezing drizzle will continue today, with some light snow/sleet mixed in at times. Accumulations will be an inch or so. A Winter Weather Advisory remains in effect until 6pm Monday for that wintry mix and light snow that will still cause travel difficulties.

Posted under snowfall amounts, winter, winter weather

Winter Storm Warnings and Winter Weather Advisories for our area tonight into Tuesday

Winter Storm Warning for Freeborn, Steele, Waseca counties midnight tonight through Tuesday AM. 6-8″+ snow possible there BY TUESDAY AM.

Winter Weather Advisory from midnight tonight until Tuesday AM (Tuesday PM in Iowa) for everyone else. 4-7″ possible in the Advisory BY TUESDAY.

Timing: Snow should start especially after midnight tonight. Look for 1-2″ of snow tonight, another 2-4″ on Monday, and another 1-2″ or so Monday night.

This will be a long-lived snow event with not an all-at-once heavy snowfall, but will still impact travel, especially later tonight into Tuesday morning. The bulk of the snow will fall from Monday morning through Monday night.

And, a heads up: a large storm will pass to the south and east on Wednesday, but may come close enough to bring accumulating snow to the southern portions of the viewing area. Stay tuned on that.

Here is what one of our models is thinking for accumulations.  Take it with a grain of salt…actual totals will vary.

Posted under winter, winter weather

Snow will wind down this evening (if it hasn’t already). Infact, the Winter Weather Advisory has already been canceled for much of the area, with the exception of the counties in Iowa around the I-35 corridor. That will stay in effect (at least for now) until 6PM.

Flurries will be possible overnight, and colder air will push in for Tuesday. Highs tomorrow will likely come shortly after midnight, with temperatures falling into the low single digits by the mid to late afternoon.

Here are the reported snowfall totals to the National Weather Service:

Posted under snowfall amounts, winter, winter weather

Winter Weather Advisory for Monday

Winter Weather Advisory will be in effect from 12 AM Monday to 6 PM Monday for the brown shaded counties in the image to the left.

Snow will move in after midnight, with the most of it falling between midnight and early afternoon on Monday. 2-4″ can generally be expected in the advisory area, with lesser amounts outside of it. There could be some blowing and drifting as well, as the winds will be a bit blustery.

Some mixed precipitation may mix in with the snow in our northern Iowa counties, which would create some icy conditions and lower snowfall amounts.

Precipitation should taper off during the afternoon hours, with some light snow activity/flurries into Monday night.

Allow yourself extra time if you’re out and about on Monday.

Posted under severe weather, winter, winter weather

Winter Weather Advisory (brown shaded counties)

The Winter Weather Advisory has been expanded across our viewing area, so refer to the graphic on the left for who’s included. Generally, the Winter Weather Advisory will remain in effect until about 6 AM along and west of I-35; until Noon east if I-35.

Totals so far have ranged from 1-2″ for most of our entire area, with some higher totals out toward Algona and Clarion. I’ll get snowfall totals on the blog this afternoon.

Look for another 1-2″ of snow tonight east of I-35 and 2-4″ possible west and south of I-35, with maybe another inch (at most, two) on Tuesday.

As far as totals are looking, it appears 2-4″ will be possible for much of SE Minn/NE Iowa, with some spots getting closer to 3-5.” Along and west and south of I-35, totals will likely be closer to 4-7″.

Winds will be fairly light through this event, which will limit alot of the blowing and drifting, but still be on the lookout for it, especially in the open terrain. Temperatures should hold fairly steady tonight and we’ll be back in the 20s for highs on Tuesday. Snow will taper off Tuesday afternoon and evening, and we’ll have some flurries into Wednesday morning.

Recently reported snowfall totals:

Posted under snowfall amounts, winter, winter weather

Today’s potent winter storm is certainly creating a lot of buzz in our region as well as at the national level because of all of the controversy surrounding the field conditions for tonight’s Monday Night Football contest between the Viking and Bears at TCF Bank Stadium.  First, the local concerns for us in southeastern Minnesota and northern Iowa from today’s storm: A Winter Storm Warning has been posted for the Rochester area and for locations to the north, including the Twin Cities as there is the potential for 6 inches of accumulation by this evening from our Monday snow event.  The Warning continues through tonight and tomorrow, even though the snow itself will probably wind down by 9pm because a transition to freezing drizzle will continue to make travel treacherous.  The threat for freezing drizzle will continue into tomorrow morning with this storm system and the Warning itself runs until noon for most of us.  A Winter Weather Advisory is in effect until noon tomorrow for locations to the south of Interstate 90 and the Rochester area as these spots will likely receive slightly lower amounts of snowfall…somewhere in the 3-5 inch range.  The heaviest snowfall from this storm will be during the heart of the afternoon with some spots dealing with one inch per hour rates, drastically reducing visibilities for a time.

Snowfall Forecast for Monday.

Now, on to the Monday Night Football aspect of this storm.  The Twin Cities will likely receive from 5 to 8 inches of snow today and this evening with about 6 inches on the ground for kickoff at 7:30.  Much has been talked about the stadium temperatures for this outdoor venue and it appears that this won’t be an especially dire situation for fans and players as readings will be in the 20s through the game with wind chills in the teens.  However, even though temperatures won’t be as cold as once feared, the field surface is sure to be frozen solid and it’ll be fun to see what effect the snow has on the first outdoor home game for the Vikings in almost 30 years.

Tonight's Vikings-Bears Monday Night Football Forecast

Posted under Uncategorized, winter weather

Winter Weather Advisory extended until 3PM Thursday

10:30am update: The Winter Weather Advisory has been extended until 3 PM. The band of snow is not dissipating as quickly as we were forecasting….it may snow forever! Just kidding. Newest snowfall totals are below.

9:00 am update: Snow continues to hang on…roads are slick and it’s a slow go. Steele, Waseca, and Rice counties have been added back into the Winter Weather Advisory to account for the band of snow that could still produce another inch or two into the afternoon.

Earlier:

Here’s a look at snowfall totals that have been reported. We’ll keep this updated. Winter Weather Advisory remains in effect until noon for the brown shaded counties (see pic). Maybe another 1″ or so of snow before the afternoon, when this all starts to come to an end. Some flurries will take us into the evening.

Posted under snowfall amounts, winter, winter weather

Winter Weather Advisory (brown): Noon Weds to 6 AM Thurs; Winter Storm Warning (pink): 3 PM Weds to 9 AM Thurs

11:30 am update: A Winter Storm Warning has been issued for Steele, Waseca and Rice counties, from 3 PM Weds to 9 AM Thurs. In the pink-y counties, there could be totals over 6 inches possible. I still think 3-5″ is a safe bet for areas in the Winter Weather Advisory (brown counties), closer to 5″ especially in south-central Minnesota and northern Iowa. Lighter amounts (3″ and less) from Rochester north and east.

The heaviest snow will fall overnight. And by heavy I don’t mean blinding – this will be a light snow spread out over several hours.

Earlier: A Winter Weather Advisory will go into effect at Noon Wednesday and run until 6 AM Thursday. This is for a narrow band of snow that will develop smack across the area this afternoon and stay with us into Thursday morning.

My thinkings are that there will be a swath of 1-2″ by this evening, with another 2-4″ by Thursday morning. So, snowfall totals will fall in the 3-5″ range. Any additional snow on Thursday morning should be light, and should remain around an inch or less.

A Winter Weather Advisory means that you should prepare for winter weather conditions that will create tougher travel conditions. Drive safe later today and tonight…regardless how much snow you get. Remember that roads are still slippery from our recent snowfall.

Also, a note – your snowfall totals are appreciated. Additionally – we will only be able to tell you how much it snowed in your city if we get a report from there.

Posted under winter, winter weather