Winter storm warnings issued Stateside ahead of weekend storm

Winter storm warnings (in pink) as of 10:45am CST

...WINTER STORM WARNING IN EFFECT FROM 6 AM CST SATURDAY TO 1 PM CDT SUNDAY... * WHAT...Heavy snow. Total snow accumulations of 5 to 8 inches expected. Winds gusting as high as 35 mph with blowing and drifting snow possible. * WHERE...Portions of west central Minnesota and southeast North Dakota. * WHEN...From 6 AM CST Saturday to 1 PM CDT Sunday. * ADDITIONAL DETAILS...Travel could be very difficult. Areas of blowing snow could significantly reduce visibility.

-NWS Grand Forks, ND

"Snow will begin to move into southeastern North Dakota early Saturday morning, spreading northeastward throughout the day. The snow will continue into Saturday and Saturday night before ending Sunday morning. Some of the snow could be heavy at times Saturday afternoon and evening. Amounts greater than 6 inches will be possible in southeastern North Dakota, west central and portions of northwestern Minnesota. Lesser amounts will be found north of Highway 2. Winds will pick up Saturday evening, especially in the Red River Valley. The snow will be a heavy, wet snow and thus less blowable than recent storms." -NWS Grand Forks, ND

...MAJOR WINTER STORM SATURDAY INTO SUNDAY MORNING... .A Winter Storm Warning is in effect north of a line from St. James to Faribault and a Winter Storm Watch remains in effect for the rest of southern Minnesota for Saturday into early Sunday. Heavy snow will develop over the Plains and advance into southern and western Minnesota Saturday morning, before reaching eastern Minnesota around midday, and western Wisconsin during the afternoon. Snow rates of 1 to 2 inches per hour are expected through early evening before easing Saturday night. Some rain, sleet, or freezing rain will mix with the snow at times across southern Minnesota Saturday. The snow is expected to end by early morning Sunday. Snowfall totals of 7 to 12 inches are expected across most of the area, except 4 to 7 inches across southern Minnesota where a mix is possible. Strong northwest winds will develop Saturday night and Sunday morning with gusts of 40 to 45 mph possible across southern and western Minnesota. This will lead to areas of blowing and drifting snow, but widespread blizzard conditions are not currently expected. The Winter Storm Warning continues through Sunday morning across western and portions of southern Minnesota due to the potential for blowing snow.

-NWS Twin Cities, MN

"Confidence is high a major winter storm will cause significant travel impacts across the Upper Midwest this weekend. Heavy snow and areas of blowing snow are likely for the entire region Saturday into early Sunday. Some rain, freezing rain, and sleet could mix in across south central and southeast Minnesota Saturday, cutting down snowfall totals there." -NWS Twin Cities, MN

...WINTER STORM WARNING IN EFFECT FROM MIDNIGHT CST TONIGHT TO 7 AM CDT SUNDAY... * WHAT...Heavy snow and blowing snow expected. Total snow accumulations of 4 to 6 inches expected. Winds gusting as high as 40 mph. * WHERE...Portions of central, east central, south central and southeast South Dakota. * WHEN...From midnight CST tonight to 7 AM CDT Sunday. * ADDITIONAL DETAILS...Travel could be very difficult. Areas of blowing snow could significantly reduce visibility. PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS... A Winter Storm Warning for snow means severe winter weather conditions will make travel very hazardous or impossible. If you must travel, keep an extra flashlight, food and water in your vehicle in case of an emergency.

-NWS Sioux Falls, SD

"Another winter storm system arrives late tonight and will continue through the weekend. Precipitation will begin as light snow and/or freezing drizzle from west to east late tonight, then will mix with or change over to snow on Saturday. While light to moderate snow will quickly develop after midnight from south central South Dakota toward southwest Minnesota, there is a potential for mixed precipitation and some light icing in far southeast South Dakota, northeastern Nebraska, northwest Iowa and parts of southwest Minnesota. Gusty northwest winds arrive Saturday afternoon into Sunday. Keep monitoring the latest forecasts, and plan for additional drive time or modify your travel plans." -NWS Sioux Falls, SD