Winter Storm Warnings Now In 30+ Minnesota, Wisconsin Counties

Since Spring officially began, I've written far too much about Blizzard Warnings and Winter Storm Warnings impacting Minnesota and Wisconsin.

I had hoped that with Easter weekend approaching, I wouldn't have to deal with that stuff until November or, even better, December. Unfortunately, Mother Nature has other plans.

The National Weather Service is reporting that a powerful spring weather system is expected to bring widespread precipitation to the region beginning tonight and lingering through Thursday, with areas of wet snow, freezing rain, sleet, and rain all expected, depending on timing and location.

Then, if that weren't enough, another, potentially stronger, weather system is heading toward the region beginning Friday afternoon and impacting some areas as late as Saturday night.

There are a lot of counties in Minnesota and Wisconsin already under Winter Storm Watches for that Friday into Saturday event, but the following areas have already had Winter Storm Warnings issued.

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Winter Storm Warning / Winter Storm Watch 1

This includes the Minnesota cities of Two Harbors, Silver Bay, and Grand Marais. There is a Winter Storm Warning in effect through Thursday night, then a Winter Storm Watch will be in effect beginning Friday afternoon.

What: For the Winter Storm Warning, heavy snow is expected. Total snow accumulations between 5 and 7 inches. Winds gusting as high as 45 mph. For the Winter Storm Watch, heavy mixed precipitation is possible. Total snow and sleet accumulations between 5 and 8 inches, and ice accumulations up to one-tenth of an inch are possible. Winds could gust as high as 40 mph.
Where: Southern Cook and Southern Lake Counties. This includes the Tribal Lands of the Grand Portage Reservation.
When: For the Winter Storm Warning, from 1 AM Thursday to 7 AM CDT Friday. For the Winter Storm Watch, from Friday afternoon through late Saturday night.
Impacts: Travel could be very difficult. The hazardous conditions could impact the Thursday morning and evening commutes. Gusty winds could bring down tree branches.
Additional Details: The majority of the snowfall is expected to fall during the daytime hours. With the high sun angle and temperatures hovering just above freezing, snowfall will have a difficult time accumulating on warm surfaces, leading to a slushy mess.

If you must travel, keep an extra flashlight, food, and water in your vehicle in case of an emergency. Call 511 or visit www.511mn.org for Minnesota road information.

Winter Storm Warning / Winter Storm Watch 2

This includes the Wisconsin city of Phillips. There is a Winter Storm Warning in effect through Thursday night, then a Winter Storm Watch will be in effect beginning Friday afternoon.

What: For the Winter Storm Warning, heavy mixed precipitation is expected. Total snow and sleet accumulations up to two inches, and ice accumulations between one-tenth and three-tenths of an inch. For the Winter Storm Watch, significant icing is possible. Total ice accumulations around two-tenths of an inch are possible.
Where: Price County
When: For the Winter Storm Warning, from 1 AM to 7 PM CDT Thursday. For the Winter Storm Watch, from Friday afternoon through Saturday morning.
Impacts: Power outages and tree damage are likely due to the ice. Travel could be nearly impossible. The hazardous conditions could impact the Thursday morning and evening commutes.
Additional Details: The majority of the snowfall is expected to fall during the daytime hours. With the high sun angle and temperatures hovering just above freezing, snowfall will have a difficult time accumulating on warm surfaces, leading to a slushy mess.

Winter Storm Warning 3

This recently added warning includes the cities of Minneapolis, St Peter, Chanhassen, Hutchinson, Victoria, Gaylord, Chaska, St Paul, Redwood Falls, Shakopee, Hastings, Red Wing, Le Sueur, Stillwater, New Ulm, Faribault, and Olivia.

What: Heavy mixed precipitation expected. Total snow accumulations up to one inch, sleet accumulations around three-quarters of an inch, and ice accumulations around one-quarter of an inch. Winds gusting as high as 30 mph.
Where: McLeod, Renville, Sibley, Carver, Dakota, Hennepin, Ramsey, Scott, Washington, Brown, Le Sueur, Nicollet, Rice, Goodhue, and Redwood Counties.
When: From midnight Wednesday to noon CDT Thursday.
Impacts: Roads, and especially bridges and overpasses, will likely become slick and hazardous. Significant ice accumulation on power lines and tree limbs may cause widespread and long-lasting power outages. Plan on slippery road conditions. The hazardous conditions will impact the Thursday morning commute.

Winter Storm Warning 4

This includes the cities of Eau Claire, Chippewa Falls, Durand, River Falls, Hudson, Osceola, Ladysmith, Rice Lake, and Menomonie.

What: Heavy mixed precipitation expected. Total snow accumulations up to one inch, sleet accumulations around three-quarters of an inch, and ice accumulations around one-quarter of an inch. Winds gusting as high as 30 mph.
Where: Eau Claire, Chippewa. Barron, Polk, Rusk, Dunn, Pepin, Pierce, and St. Croix Counties.
When: From midnight Wednesday to noon CDT Thursday.
Impacts: Roads, and especially bridges and overpasses, will likely become slick and hazardous. Significant ice accumulation on power lines and tree limbs may cause widespread and long-lasting power outages. Power outages and tree damage are likely due to the ice. Travel could be nearly impossible. The hazardous conditions will impact the Thursday morning commute.
Additional Details: If you must travel, keep an extra flashlight, food, and water in your vehicle in case of an emergency. Call 5 1 1 or visit 511wi.gov for road conditions.

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Winter Storm Warning 5

This includes the cities of Niagara, Lac Du Flambeau, Crandon, Eagle River, Aurora, Commonwealth, Spread Eagle, Rhinelander, and Wausaukee.

What: Heavy mixed precipitation expected. Total snow and sleet accumulations of 1 to 2 inches and ice accumulations up to two-tenths of an inch. Winds gusting as high as 35 mph.
Where: Oneida, Vilas, Florence, Forest, and Northern Marinette counties.
When: From 5 AM to 10 PM CDT on Thursday.
Impacts: Power outages and tree damage are possible due to the ice. Travel could be hazardous due to icy roads. The hazardous conditions will impact the Thursday morning commute.
Additional Details: If you must travel, keep an extra flashlight, food, and water in your vehicle in case of an emergency. Call 5 1 1 or visit 511wi.gov for road conditions.