Winter Storm Watch Issued As 'Long-Duration Snow' Heads For Minnesota

MINNEAPOLIS, MN — A long-duration snowfall event is expected to develop Friday night and last through late Saturday, prompting the National Weather Service to issue a Winter Storm Watch for much of southern Minnesota.

Snow will begin after midnight Friday, continue through Saturday, and taper off late Saturday evening.

While snowfall rates are not expected to be especially heavy at any one time, the storm’s 24–36 hour duration will allow totals to gradually accumulate.

Where the Heaviest Snow Is Expected

Southern Minnesota has the highest likelihood of several inches of accumulation, including cities Albert Lea, Mankato, Fairmont, Worthington, Faribault, Rochester, and Red Wing.

The Twin Cities metro sits near the sharper northern cutoff of the storm, with lower totals.

NWS snowfall projections and probability tables show a clear north–south split:

• Worthington: Expected 8", high-end 15"
• Fairmont: Expected 9", high-end 14"
• Rochester: Expected 6", high-end 13"
• Faribault: Expected 6", high-end 12"
• Mankato: Expected 7", high-end 13"
• Red Wing: Expected 4", high-end 10"
• Twin Cities: Expected 3", high-end 8"
• St. Cloud: Expected 2", high-end 5"

Probability of at least 4 inches climbs sharply south of the metro, reaching 70–90 percent across the Minnesota River Valley and toward the Iowa border.

Winter Storm Watch Details

The Winter Storm Watch is in effect from 6 p.m. Friday through midnight Saturday night for the southern tier of Minnesota counties.

According to the NWS, key factors include:

• Snow will fall over a long period, gradually adding up.
• Southern Minnesota is favored for the highest totals.
• Hourly rates will not be intense, but duration matters.
• The northern edge of the snow band may feature a sharp cutoff.
• Cold temperatures are expected Sunday and Monday behind the system.

Travel Impacts

Roads may become snow-covered in southern Minnesota late Friday night and Saturday, especially during the daytime hours Saturday, when snowfall is steady.

Even though snowfall rates will be modest, persistent accumulation could make travel slow and slippery.

Cold Outbreak to Follow

Sunday and Monday temperatures will fall significantly across the region. Highs across much of Minnesota will remain in the teens, with single-digit lows and wind chills below zero.