Winter Wonderland Woes: How Snow Will Hamper Your Weekend Journeys

Extensive light snow moves across the area from west to east Saturday into Sunday. Traveling may become sluggish during the afternoon and evening, especially along and to the north of the Interstate 94 route.

Weekend snowfall

The schedule and accumulation from our weekend system are aligning with our expectations.

Our Saturday has commenced with scattered flurries in the Twin Cities region, but we will look westward as the more widespread and steady snowfall gradually arrives with the low-pressure system originating from North Dakota.

We continue to monitor the northern part of Minnesota where a general accumulation of 2 to 5 inches is expected. The highest totals will be near the shores of Lake Superior, with up to 10 inches likely in the elevated areas close to Grand Marais.

Amounts diminish as you head south, with the Twin Cities metro area expected to receive between 1 to 3 inches.

Travelers should allow extra time to drive carefully Saturday afternoon and evening, particularly in areas where a winter weather advisory will be in effect starting around 3 PM. Morris, St. Cloud, and Hinckley are located on the southern fringe of the advisory.

A significant portion of the accumulation will occur Saturday evening and into Sunday morning, after which the snow will shift eastward. However, a gusty northwest wind following the departing weather system may continue to create travel challenges due to blowing snow.

This same northwest wind will introduce a wave of cold air to kick-start the workweek. Monday morning will bring sub-zero readings, followed by daytime highs struggling to exceed the single digits.

The influx of cold air will persist into Monday night and Tuesday, and then temperatures will begin to rise again, reaching the 30s by week’s end. It is also expected to be a fairly calm week once this round of snowfall diminishes.