'Special Weather Statement' Issued For Twin Cities Metro

TWIN CITIES, MN — The National Weather Service has issued a "special weather statement" on the rain and snow expected across Minnesota on Halloween.

The latest forecast shows a greater chance for accumulating snow across parts of east-central Minnesota and western Wisconsin on Thursday. While uncertainty remains on how quickly cold rain will turn to snow in the Twin Cities metro, weather officials are advising people to prepare for a potentially messy morning commute.

The special weather statement applies to the following countries: Hennepin, Ramsey, Dakota, Anoka, Washington, Stearns, Wright, Sherburne, Carver, Scott, St. Croix (WI), Chisago, Benton, Isanti, Rice, Polk (WI), Goodhue, Barron (WI), Mille Lacs, Pierce (WI), McLeod, Todd, Kanabec, Morrison, Le Sueur, Dunn (WI), Kandiyohi, Meeker, Sibley, Nicollet, Renville, Rusk (WI).

"Widespread rain will overspread Minnesota and Wisconsin late this evening through overnight tonight," the NWS warned

Wednesday. "Much colder air will gradually work into the area late tonight through Thursday, allowing the rain to mix with or turn to all snow Thursday morning."

The snow "may be locally heavy at times, leading to potentially hazardous travel," but "confidence remains low where the heaviest portion of the band will develop. Current indications suggest somewhere from central Minnesota into northwestern Wisconsin."

"If snow rates exceed an inch per hour, travel could be impacted," the NWS said.

Read the full NWS special weather statement here.

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

Wednesday Night: Rain likely, then rain and possibly a thunderstorm after 4am. Low around 37. North northeast wind around 15 mph. Chance of precipitation is 90%. New rainfall amounts between a half and three quarters of an inch possible.

Thursday: Rain and snow before 4pm, then a slight chance of rain. Some thunder is also possible. Temperature falling to around 36 by 10am. Northwest wind around 15 mph, with gusts as high as 30 mph. Chance of precipitation is 100%. Little or no snow accumulation expected.

Thursday Night: Mostly clear, with a low around 31. Northwest wind 5 to 10 mph becoming light and variable after midnight.

Friday: Mostly sunny, with a high near 50. Light south wind becoming southeast 5 to 10 mph in the afternoon.

Friday Night: Partly cloudy, with a low around 41. Southeast wind around 10 mph.

Saturday: Mostly sunny, with a high near 58. South wind around 10 mph.

Saturday Night: Rain likely, mainly after 1am. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 46. East southeast wind around 10 mph. Chance of precipitation is 60%.

Sunday: Rain likely, then rain and possibly a thunderstorm after 1pm. High near 57. East southeast wind 10 to 15 mph. Chance of precipitation is 80%.

Sunday Night: Rain and possibly a thunderstorm. Low around 51. East southeast wind 10 to 15 mph. Chance of precipitation is 90%.

Monday: Rain. High near 63. Southeast wind around 10 mph becoming south southwest in the afternoon. Chance of precipitation is 80%.

Monday Night: Rain likely. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 44. Southwest wind around 10 mph becoming north after midnight. Chance of precipitation is 70%.

Tuesday: A 50 percent chance of rain. Partly sunny, with a high near 54. West wind 10 to 15 mph.