Monday, December 7, 2009 4:50 PM Central Time
Posted by Weathernerd
A Winter Storm Warning is now in effect from noon Tuesday to midnight CST Wednesday night.
The National Weather Service in the Twin Cities/Chanhassen has issued a Winter Storm Warning for heavy snow, which is in effect from noon Tuesday to midnight CST Wednesday night. The Winter Storm Watch is no longer in effect.
Snow will begin across areas of south central Minnesota by Tuesday morning. The snow will continue to expand northward into the Twin Cities metropolitan area by noon on Tuesday and across the entire area by mid-afternoon. Accumulations of one to two inches are forecast by 6 PM Tuesday. Winds are expected to slowly increase Tuesday but remain low enough that blowing snow is not anticipated during that time.
Snow will increase in intensity Tuesday night and persist through Wednesday morning...primarily across the warning areas. Periods of heavy snow are expected. The heaviest snow is expected south and east of a Fairmont...to Red Wing...to Rice Lake Wisconsin line. In these areas...storm total snowfall amounts of eight inches or more are likely by Wednesday afternoon. Across the remainder of the warning area...five to eight inches are
expected. Increasing winds overnight Tuesday night will result in blowing and drifting snow...especially in open areas. Difficult travel is likely throughout the warning time.
A Winter Storm Warning for heavy snow means severe winter weather conditions are expected or occurring. Significant amounts of snow are forecast that will make travel dangerous. Only travel in an emergency. If you must travel...keep an extra flashlight...food...and water in your vehicle in case of an emergency.
Some media outlets are predicting 7-10 inches of snow for the Twin Cities Metro Area at this time.