Snow Increases In Intensity (2-6" likely, 8" just south of St. Cloud)

Storm Headlines:

* Winter Storm Warning in effect for today, tonight and Saturday morning - includes the metro area.

* Snow spreading across the metro area, getting heavier and steadier as the afternoon goes on, around an inch on the ground for the PM commute. Even freeways and interstates will be snow-covered and very icy.


* Most of the accumulating snow arrives this evening and tonight, when snow may accumulate at the rate of 1" every 2 hours or so. With air temperatures near 20 all the freeways and interstates will be snow-covered, icy and slippery.

* Another inch possible Saturday (best chance morning hours) - travel conditions should slowly improve as the day goes on.

* Still thinking 2-6" for most of the St. Cloud metro, but a band of 5-8" will set up just south of St. Cloud, closer to Willmar and Monticello.

Winter Storm Warning. A watch means "watch out", it MAY be coming. A warning means it's pretty much imminent, it's coming - prepare yourself for some inconvenient weather (to put it kindly). The good news: winds will be relatively light, under 10-15 mph, meaning only minimal blowing and drifting behind the clipper, which is a good thing, considering how "dry", powdery and light tonight's snowfall will be. More info from the local NWS office is here.

 
Doppler Radar Update: 1:40 pm. Radar shows snow streaking across the St. Cloud metro area. Snow will become heavier and steadier as the afternoon goes on. A friendly word of advice: if you can leave a little early for the drive home you'll thank yourself. I don't think it's going to be horrible at 6 pm, but conditions at 3 pm will be better. I expect travel conditions to go quickly downhill during the evening and nighttime hours.

Fun With Math. The models have been consistent the last few runs (which we like to see). The latest NAM/WRF model (probably the most accurate - but all the models have their own unique problems and inconsistencies) prints out about .28" liquid by tomorrow afternoon. Assuming a 15/1 snow/rain ratio that would translate into 4-5" snow for much of the St. Cloud metro, with a better chance of 5-8" about 20-30 miles south of St. Cloud. Little Falls may wind up with an inch or 2, under 1" closer to Brainerd.

How Much? I think this snowfall prediction is on the right track, an average of 2-6" across the immediate St. Cloud metro (enough to shovel and plow), with some 8" amounts closer to Willmar, Mankato and Hutchinson.