Winter Storm To Bring Blizzard Conditions, Heavy Snow And Dangerous Cold In MN

MINNEAPOLIS, MN — A powerful and highly dynamic winter storm is expected to bring heavy snow, damaging winds, blizzard conditions, and dangerous cold across Minnesota and western Wisconsin from Sunday into Monday, according to the National Weather Service.

Forecasters say the storm will produce a sharp west-to-east snowfall gradient. The highest snowfall totals are expected across eastern Minnesota and western Wisconsin, where widespread accumulations of 5 to 10 inches are forecast, with locally higher amounts possible in parts of east-central Minnesota and northwest Wisconsin.

The Twin Cities metro is forecast to receive roughly 5 to 10 inches of snow, with higher totals possible north and east of the metro.

Snowfall amounts will be lighter farther west, with much of central Minnesota expected to receive 3 to 7 inches. Totals drop off to around 1 to 4 inches across parts of western Minnesota.

Strong northwest winds will significantly increase the storm’s impacts. Sustained winds of 25 to 35 mph, combined with peak gusts frequently reaching 45 to 55 mph, are expected to produce widespread blowing and drifting snow. Blizzard conditions are forecast across portions of central and southern Minnesota, where falling snow and strong winds will dramatically reduce visibility and make travel hazardous or impossible at times.

Even after snowfall tapers off Sunday night, gusty winds are expected to persist into Monday, prolonging dangerous travel conditions as snow continues to blow and drift across roadways.

Behind a cold frontal passage Sunday morning, temperatures will drop sharply. Air temperatures are expected to fall into the single digits by Sunday night. Combined with strong winds, wind chills are forecast to plunge to between -15 and -25 degrees by Monday morning, especially across central and western Minnesota.

Blizzard Warnings have been issued for portions of central and southern Minnesota. Winter Storm Warnings are in effect across eastern Minnesota and all of western Wisconsin. A Winter Storm Watch remains in place for parts of western Minnesota, where snowfall totals and the extent of blizzard conditions remain uncertain.

The NWS urges residents to avoid travel during the height of the storm if possible and to prepare for rapidly changing conditions, poor visibility, and dangerous cold.

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

Tonight: A 20 percent chance of rain after 5am. Widespread dense fog, mainly after 7pm. Otherwise, cloudy, with a low around 34. South southeast wind 5 to 10 mph becoming north northwest after midnight.

Sunday: Rain, snow, and sleet likely before 9am, then snow, possibly mixed with rain between 9am and 10am, then snow after 10am. The snow could be heavy at times. Widespread blowing snow, mainly after 4pm. Widespread fog, mainly before 7am. Temperature falling to around 15 by 5pm. Breezy, with a northwest wind 10 to 15 mph increasing to 20 to 25 mph in the afternoon. Winds could gust as high as 40 mph. Chance of precipitation is 100%. New snow and sleet accumulation of 3 to 5 inches possible.

Sunday Night: Snow, mainly before 5am. Widespread blowing snow, mainly before midnight. Low around 6. Wind chill values as low as -13. Blustery, with a northwest wind around 25 mph, with gusts as high as 45 mph. Chance of precipitation is 100%. New snow accumulation of 3 to 5 inches possible.

Monday: Patchy blowing snow before noon. Cloudy through mid morning, then gradual clearing, with a high near 12. Wind chill values as low as -15. Blustery, with a northwest wind 15 to 25 mph, with gusts as high as 40 mph.

Monday Night: Mostly clear, with a low around 1. Northwest wind 5 to 15 mph becoming west southwest after midnight.

Tuesday: A 20 percent chance of snow before noon. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 29. Southwest wind 5 to 10 mph.

Tuesday Night: Mostly cloudy, with a low around 13. West northwest wind 10 to 15 mph.

Wednesday: A 50 percent chance of snow. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 18. Northwest wind around 10 mph.

Wednesday Night: A 20 percent chance of snow before midnight. Mostly cloudy, with a low around -1. North northwest wind around 10 mph.

New Year's Day: Mostly sunny, with a high near 8. West northwest wind around 10 mph.

Thursday Night: Partly cloudy, with a low around -3. West southwest wind 5 to 10 mph.

Friday: Partly sunny, with a high near 15. Southwest wind 5 to 10 mph.

Friday Night: Partly cloudy, with a low around 7. South southeast wind 5 to 10 mph.

Saturday: Partly sunny, with a high near 22. East southeast wind around 10 mph.