4 To 6 Inches Expected In Twin Cities As Snow Totals Increase, 'Blizzard Conditions' Possible: MN Weather

MINNEAPOLIS, MN — The forecasted snow totals have increased for the Twin Cities as a potent storm moves in Tuesday afternoon and Tuesday night, according to the National Weather Service.

Meteorologists said overnight that the expected snowfall band has shifted slightly south, putting much of the metro in line for 4 to 6 inches by early Wednesday morning. That’s a noticeable bump from earlier projections that kept the heavier snow farther north.

Rain will transition to snow from west to east late Tuesday afternoon, becoming all snow after 6 to 7 p.m.

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Across central Minnesota into northwest Wisconsin, totals could exceed 6 inches. But even areas farther south, including Minneapolis, St. Paul, and the surrounding suburbs, are now expected to see several inches due to the sharper southward push of the storm.

The National Weather Service expanded the Winter Storm Warning to include most of the Twin Cities metro despite the moderate totals, citing the combination of heavy bursts of snow, falling temperatures, and powerful northwest winds gusting up to 45 mph. Forecasters warned that the conditions may “lead to blizzard conditions at times,” with visibility dropping to a quarter-mile or less.

Travel hazards are expected to ramp up quickly Tuesday evening as the rain flips to snow. Blowing and drifting will continue overnight, with reduced visibility potentially lasting into the Wednesday morning commute.

A Winter Weather Advisory remains in place for far southern Minnesota and parts of west-central Wisconsin.

Here's the full NWS forecast from the Minneapolis-St. Paul Airport:

Tuesday: Rain, mainly after 10am. Widespread fog, mainly before 9am. High near 47. East wind 5 to 10 mph becoming light and variable. Chance of precipitation is 100%. New precipitation amounts between a quarter and half of an inch possible.

Tuesday Night: Rain and snow, becoming all snow after 10pm. The snow could be heavy at times. Widespread blowing snow, mainly between 10pm and midnight. Low around 27. Blustery, with a north northwest wind 10 to 15 mph increasing to 20 to 25 mph in the evening. Winds could gust as high as 45 mph. Chance of precipitation is 100%. New snow accumulation of 3 to 7 inches possible.

Wednesday: A 30 percent chance of snow before 7am. Patchy blowing snow. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 28. Blustery, with a northwest wind 20 to 25 mph, with gusts as high as 40 mph.

Wednesday Night: Patchy blowing snow before 7pm. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 19. West northwest wind around 15 mph, with gusts as high as 30 mph.

Thanksgiving Day: Partly sunny, with a high near 26. West northwest wind around 15 mph.

Thursday Night: Mostly cloudy, with a low around 13. West northwest wind 5 to 10 mph.

Friday: Partly sunny, with a high near 24. West northwest wind around 5 mph becoming northeast in the afternoon.

Friday Night: Snow likely, mainly after midnight. Cloudy, with a low around 17. East wind around 5 mph. Chance of precipitation is 60%.

Saturday: A 40 percent chance of snow. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 26. East northeast wind 5 to 10 mph.

Saturday Night: A 30 percent chance of snow. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 16. North wind around 10 mph.

Sunday: A 20 percent chance of snow. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 25. Northwest wind around 10 mph.

Sunday Night: A 30 percent chance of snow. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 8. Northwest wind around 10 mph.

Monday: Partly sunny, with a high near 16. West northwest wind around 10 mph.