Minneapolis awaits a frosty reception from nature as the National Weather Service in Twin Cities/Chanhassen MN predicts a wintry mix to hit the region. According to a forecast, today's weather will see scattered flurries clear by morning, giving way to partly sunny skies with a brisk high near 23 degrees. However, as night falls, snow will make its presence felt, primarily after midnight, with accumulation of 1 to 2 inches anticipated.
The enhanced likelihood of hazardous travel conditions appears imminent, as the snow is expected to continue into Thursday. "Snow, mainly before 5pm," with a high near 26 is predicted, amid gusty winds reaching up to 30 mph, potentially reducing visibility and complicating the commute. Further, a Hazardous Weather Outlook report issued specifies that a storm total of 3 to 6 inches of snow is likely along and north of Interstate 94, with northern and eastern parts of Twin Cities possibly on the receiving end of the heaviest snowfall. Spotters and snowfall observers are encouraged to report snowfall amounts to the National Weather Service, as commuting disruptions are expected near and during Thursday morning.
Notably, the forecast for Minneapolis brings a stretch of chilly conditions extending beyond the imminent snowfall. Thursday night will herald cloudy skies, then gradually becoming partly cloudy, and temperatures plummeting to around 9 degrees. The rest of the week and into the weekend appears to be a test of the cold, with "Mostly sunny, with a high near 17" expected for Friday and a chilling low of around 5 degrees come Friday night NWS reported. The city gets a slight temperature reprieve on Sunday with a mostly sunny day and a high near 27 degrees.
The upcoming weather events indicate the typical unpredictability of Minnesota's winter months. The next instance of snowfall lurks on the horizon with a "20 percent chance of snow" forecast for Monday. A cycle of mostly cloudy days and nights, accompanied by moderate highs in the low 30s and lows hovering in the low 20s, will close out the period detailed in the outlook. While the snow and cold are mainstays of the Minnesotan winter experience, the season's grip appears to tightening, demanding preparation and cautiousness from its residents.
