Double Whammy Snow Storm Possibility Picture Becomes More Clear

(KNSI) — The National Weather Service says there have been some changes with the snow expected Thursday and Friday and again over the weekend.

The winter weather advisory is still in place for central Minnesota, including the Interstate 94 corridor from border to border, cutting right through the St. Cloud metro. It’s still in effect from 7:00 Thursday night through 10:00 a.m. Friday morning, with the heaviest snow expected to fall between 8:00 p.m. and 4:00 a.m., but the roads will likely be slick through the morning commute. A swath 2″ to 5″ is expected throughout the region, with higher amounts along and north of 94 and also along and east of I-35.

What has changed is the banded snowfall scenario from Wednesday. Two pictures were presented, but one has become a bit clearer. The double banded snowfall prediction seems more likely. Snowfall amounts have decreased as a result, but the system has become more widespread.

The first system should taper off and move out before lunch on Friday.

A second, more significant winter storm will impact the Upper Midwest Sunday through Tuesday. Forecasters warn that the second system headed our way has many moving parts yet, and the amounts of rain and snowfall will change with each update. What appears to be a constant, however, is the broad swath of over 6″ of snow mixing with rain and sleet, plus strong winds out of the east at 25 to 35 miles an hour.

Forecasters say don’t dwell on the specific totals as snow amounts and locations vary quite a bit when the storm is this far out.

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