Winter Weather Advisory Issued for Thursday and Friday

(KNSI) — The National Weather Service has issued a winter weather advisory starting at 10:00 Thursday morning for several counties, including central Minnesota.

A period of rain or a wintry mix will start mid-morning and then change over to heavy, wet snow by the afternoon. Snow could fall at a rate of an inch an hour in some spots, mostly Thursday afternoon and evening. Total accumulations are expected to be between two and five inches, but St. Cloud will see between three and four inches. Winds will gust to around 40 miles an hour, which will cause areas of blowing snow, reducing visibility, especially in the more open areas. It can also cause some wet roads to turn slick and icy as temps drop through the day and overnight. Thursday afternoon and Friday morning’s commute could be a little hairy.

If you’re traveling, areas toward Cambridge and Hinckley will see between four and six inches. A winter storm warning is out for areas north of Hinckley toward the North Shore and northwestern Wisconsin. Stronger wind gusts are expected around portions of southwest and south central parts of the state.

Temps over the weekend may not get out of the 20s. Mostly sunny skies with highs in the 30s are expected for Monday before another potential round of rain and freezing rain starting on Tuesday.

___