3/10 - 3/11: Winter Storm

Looks like the metro area could pick up about 4 inches of snow this Sunday, 3/7. Really depends on the temps, but some should be rain.

However the bigger show should take place on Tuesday, 3/10. Two forecast models are showing a LOT of moisture in this system, and as it looks right now, a FOOT of snow is possible in the metro area. Some areas are showing 10"-20". C'mon, don't be surprised. It is tournament time in MN, and it happens every year. This won't be that light fluffy stuff either--it will be back breaking, heavy, wet snow. And then temps will again drop below normal after the system passes.

Don't put away those shovels yet.

On Saturday, forecast models really pushed this system farther north. I think those around Isanti County are still looking at 5"-6" but as you go towards that aarowhead, from Carlton County/Duluth and north, look for 12"-20".

Look for winds to really pick up from the north/northwest and the cold air will funnel in for a few days, through Thursday. The wind chill will make it bitterly cold, and we'll be longing for those 40 degree days we just had.

At 2:47 this afternoon, the NWS now has most of central and east central MN under a Winter Storm Warning. This Blizzard Watch and Blizzard Warning in western MN has also been dropping farther south as the day has moved along.

Here is a graphic from the HPC for the likelihood of getting 8+ inches of snow.



Here is the Quantitative Precipitation Forecast (QPF) from the HPC. It is forecasting the amount of precip in a storm system. It is safe to use the rule that 1" of precip equals 10"-12" of snow. This forecast graphic is valid from 7pm tonight (Monday 3/9) to 7pm Tuesday night.

I think we are lucky it was just about 3 degrees colder yesterday. More rain and sleet than snow.

On Friday we'll see winds from the southwest/west and temps will get back up into the 30's.