Winter Storm Warning Update: Snow, Ice, Thunderstorms and Power Outages Impacting Minnesota + Wisconsin
Last week, there was much speculation on a weather system that would likely impact the Northland, bringing the potential of snow, ice, and powerful winds. On Sunday, the National Weather Service in Duluth issued the first official advisory on the upcoming storm.
The NWS initially issued a Winter Storm Watch for much of the Northland, but that has since been upgraded to Winter Storm Warning. It seems we can't put away our shovels quite yet and looks like this storm will require our ice scrapers as well.
The Winter Storm Warning that includes the Twin Ports area was updated Tuesday night:
- WHAT: Heavy mixed precipitation. Additional snow accumulations of up to two inches and ice accumulations of two-tenths to three-tenths of an inch. Winds gusting as high as 60 mph.
- WHERE: Carlton and South St. Louis County. This includes the Tribal Lands of the Fond du Lac Band.
- WHEN: Until 7 PM CDT Wednesday.
- IMPACTS: Power outages and tree damage are likely due to the ice. Travel could be nearly impossible. The hazardous conditions could impact the morning or evening commute. Strong winds could cause tree damage.
- ADDITIONAL DETAILS: Expect a lot of sleet to mix in with snow. Sleet will act to lower the total snow accumulations, but is equally as dangerous. Thunderstorms are possible through Wednesday morning.
In a series of graphics released earlier Tuesday, the National Weather Service laid out what was likely to unfold. The first of which shows the area where the best chance of heavy snow is and what areas were in a Blizzard Warning.
The following graphic detail the timing of the storm for parts of the Northland.
A new graphic shows the approximate time snow will start in the area and then when it is likely to change over into mixed precipitation or rain.
A new graphic was added which shows the NWS Forecast Snowfall Amounts, with the Twin Ports area remaining within an area of uncertainty.
With mixed precipitation comes ice and here is the latest ice accumulation forecast, including the anticipated timing and duration with the chance for freezing rain increasing.
This graphic highlights the strong winds accompanying this storm, which will bring blizzard or blizzard-like conditions, especially near Lake Superior.
The National Weather Service issued a new graphic Tuesday showing where isolated severe thunderstorms are likely to occur.
The NWS pointed out that it's not often Blizzard Warnings and threats of severe thunderstorms are predicted to occur within the same forecast area, but that's just the combination this storm is bringing.
The National Weather Service will provide updates as the storm moves through the areas of impact. Obviously, travel is not recommended in these areas, but for those who must travel, the latest road conditions can be obtained by calling 5 1 1, or through 511mn.org for Minnesota, or 511wi.gov for Wisconsin.
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