Snow quantities elevated barely with tonight’s system

We proceed to trace a pair of climate programs that can transfer by the area over the subsequent couple of days. The predominant replace this afternoon is a barely larger potential for localized snow accumulations with the primary system, particularly throughout components of southern Minnesota and northern Iowa. Newer information suggests colder air could arrive a bit sooner and heavier precipitation may assist cool temperatures quicker, permitting rain to alter to snow earlier in some areas. While neither system appears to be like like a serious winter storm, minor journey impacts stay attainable, significantly throughout the rain-to-snow transition late Thursday into Friday morning.

System #1: Late Thursday and Thursday night time into Friday morning

The first system is shifting by the realm as we speak and tonight and continues to look extra rain than snow general. Precipitation can be centered primarily alongside and south/east of Minnesota Highway 60, or roughly a line from the Twin Cities to Mankato to Windom to Sioux City, Iowa. Precipitation is predicted to start out as rain this afternoon, then combine with or change to snow later as we speak and this night as temperatures cool.

Rainfall totals with this technique may attain round 1 / 4 inch or somewhat extra, with the very best quantities farther southeast. As colder air strikes in, gentle snow is predicted, with most areas seeing a dusting. However, just a few spots may choose up near an inch, and localized pockets south and east of I-35 may strategy 1 to 2 inches if snow develops a bit earlier or falls extra steadily. This will rely on how rapidly colder air strikes in and whether or not heavier precipitation charges assist cool temperatures sufficient for rain to flip to snow. Because of this, snowfall quantities could differ considerably over brief distances.

There can also be potential for a small window of minor icing, primarily late as we speak into tonight. Any freezing rain must be transient and light-weight, typically round a hundredth or two of an inch, however that may nonetheless result in slick roads and untreated surfaces, particularly close to the rain-to-snow transition zone.

While this isn’t a serious winter storm system, there may nonetheless be snowy and icy roads and surfaces Thursday night time into Friday morning, significantly in areas the place snow develops earlier. Use warning and plan journey accordingly.

System #2: Friday Night into Saturday

The second system arrives Friday night time into Saturday, and forecast fashions proceed to drag again on snowfall quantities. This system could have colder air in place, however restricted moisture, which ought to hold snow totals on the lighter aspect. Light snow stays attainable, primarily farther east, with most areas seeing little accumulation. Even within the areas most favored for snow, totals are anticipated to remain round an inch or much less, with remoted larger quantities nonetheless wanting unlikely. Gusty northwest winds and colder temperatures could grow to be extra noticeable than snowfall itself on Saturday. While impacts can be minor, there may very well be some areas of blowing snow, particularly whereas snow is falling. Icy roads and surfaces are additionally attainable.

Bottom Line

Neither system at present appears to be like high-impact for our space. While slick circumstances are attainable, particularly throughout the rain-to-snow transition as we speak and once more with gentle snow this weekend, widespread and important journey points aren’t anticipated. Keep your KEYC First Alert app helpful for the most recent alerts and updates from the climate group. We can be watching these programs carefully and could have updates as issues develop.

Click right here to obtain the KEYC News Now app or our KEYC First Alert climate app.

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