Up To 7 Inches Of Snow Expected Across Twin Cities: MN Weather

MINNESOTA — A winter weather warning continues to affect a large swath of central and northern Minnesota on Thursday.

Snow began to spread early Thursday morning and will continue to fall heavily throughout the morning. The snowstorm is expected to dissipate late afternoon and early evening.

"A well-organized winter storm will bring widespread accumulating snow to the region through this evening," the National Weather Service said.

"A band of 5 to 7 inches of snow is expected to fall near and north of a line from Redwood Falls to Red Wing MN to Eau Claire WI, including all of the Twin Cities metro. Lesser snowfall amounts will occur to the south of that line. Strong winds will also cause blowing snow and potentially reduced visibilities, especially across western and southwestern Minnesota."

The Minnesota State Patrol reported the following statewide crash numbers from midnight to 8:30 a.m. on Dec. 19:

• 91 property damage crashes
• 9 injury crashes
• 28 vehicles off the road
• 4 spinouts
• 5 jackknifed semis

No fatalities have been reported during this time.

Here are the key things to know on Thursday, according to the NWS:

WHAT: Heavy snow expected. Total snow accumulations between 5 and
7 inches.

WHERE: Portions of central, east central, and west central
Minnesota.

WHEN: Until midnight CST tonight.

The affected counties include Douglas, Todd, Morrison, Mille Lacs, Kanabec, Stevens, Pope, Stearns, Benton, Sherburne, Isanti, Chisago, Kandiyohi, Meeker, Wright, Hennepin, Anoka, Ramsey, Washington, McLeod, Carver, Scott, and Dakota.

Cities within these counties include St. Paul, Minneapolis, St. Cloud, Willmar, Alexandria, Victoria, Mora, Stillwater, Morris, Cambridge, Long Prairie, Chanhassen, Little Falls, Blaine, Chaska, Shakopee, Glenwood, Elk River, Hutchinson, Litchfield, Princeton, Monticello, Center City, Sauk Rapids, and Hastings.

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

Thursday: Snow, mainly before 4pm. The snow could be heavy at times. High near 27. East southeast wind around 15 mph becoming northeast in the afternoon. Chance of precipitation is 100%. Total daytime snow accumulation of 3 to 5 inches possible.

Thursday Night: A 30 percent chance of snow, mainly before 8pm. Cloudy, with a low around 12. North northwest wind around 15 mph.

Friday: Mostly sunny, with a high near 17. North northwest wind 5 to 10 mph.

Friday Night: Mostly cloudy, with a low around 6. Northwest wind around 5 mph becoming calm in the evening.

Saturday: Partly sunny, with a high near 19. Light east wind becoming southeast 5 to 10 mph in the morning.

Saturday Night: Mostly cloudy, with a steady temperature around 16. Southeast wind around 10 mph.

Sunday: Partly sunny, with a high near 28. Southeast wind 10 to 15 mph.

Sunday Night: A 20 percent chance of snow after midnight. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 24. South southeast wind 10 to 15 mph.

Monday: A 40 percent chance of snow, mainly before noon. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 34. South southeast wind around 10 mph becoming northeast in the afternoon.

Monday Night: Mostly cloudy, with a low around 26. North northeast wind around 5 mph becoming west southwest after midnight.

Tuesday: Mostly cloudy, with a high near 34. South wind around 5 mph.

Tuesday Night: Mostly cloudy, with a low around 26. South southeast wind around 5 mph.

Christmas Day: Mostly cloudy, with a high near 36. Southeast wind 5 to 10 mph.