Weather Impact Alert Issued for Minnesota Due to Heavy Snow and Strong Winds

The state of Minnesota is bracing for a potential weather event on Wednesday morning, following an announcement from KARE 11‘s weather team regarding heavy pockets of snow. The meteorological team has issued a Weather Impact Alert for the first half of the day, due to the likelihood of snow showers accompanied by strong winds.

John Zeigler, a meteorologist with KARE 11, highlighted the critical period for this weather event, noting that significant impacts are expected between 6 and 11 a.m. During this time, snow showers are predicted to move in from the northwest and travel southeast, accompanied by a colder air mass.

The snow is anticipated to commence in regions such as Alexandria and Brainerd around 4 to 5 a.m. It is expected to extend southwards into the Twin Cities metro area, affecting the morning commute. Zeigler warns that although the snow showers will be intermittent, they could bring heavy snowfall in short bursts during mid-morning, making driving conditions challenging.

The adverse weather conditions will also be compounded by strong winds, estimated at 20 to 30 mph. This combination is likely to cause a temporary reduction in visibility for drivers, potentially dropping below one mile within snow bands.

Despite these potential challenges, Zeigler points out that overall snow accumulation is expected to remain relatively low, with totals predicted to be less than half an inch. This is after the state received a significant amount of rainfall, ranging from one to two inches, at the start of the week, contributing to overall soil moisture levels.

Looking beyond Wednesday, the weather is expected to remain variable for the remainder of the week. Temperatures are forecast to be milder on Thursday, with highs in the upper 30s to lower 40s. The rest of the week should see mostly cloudy conditions with continued low temperatures in the 30s. A chance of further snow showers exists from Sunday into Monday, primarily affecting northern Minnesota.