Winter Weather Advisory Issued for Benton and Stearns Counties as Early Spring Storm System Brings Rain, Sleet and Snow to Minnesota

(KNSI) — A winter weather advisory goes into effect for part of central Minnesota Tuesday morning. Winter storm and blizzard warnings are also posted for areas north and west of the St. Cloud area.

The winter weather advisory cuts from Pine County through Benton and Stearns Counties, southwest through Willmar, Redwood Falls, and Marshall. Those areas will see two to four inches of sloppy, wet snow with rain, freezing rain and some sleet mixing in. Light ice accumulation is also possible. Strong winds with gusts of 40 to 50 miles an hour are also not out of the question.

The winter storm warning goes from the Arrowhead to the Northwest Angle and south through Brainerd, Alexandria, Fergus Falls and Morris. Snow will be the initial precipitation type, with snow eventually mixed with sleet, freezing rain, and rain, depending on the area. Four to six inches of snow are possible, and winds will increase significantly later today and even more so on Wednesday, resulting in significant visibility reductions and areas of blowing snow at times, mainly in western Minnesota.

Border counties, especially those along I-29 and the Red River Valley, are under a blizzard warning starting at noon today with ten to 16 inches of snow possible and winds gusting as high as 45 miles an hour will create difficult to nearly impossible travel and whiteout conditions.

Southern and eastern Minnesota could see thunderstorms with hail possible this afternoon and evening.

Starting Saturday and through at least Monday, the St. Cloud area has a shot at the low to mid 50s, so the light at the end of the very long dark winter tunnel may be here.

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