Minneapolis residents are bracing for a significant snowfall today, with the National Weather Service forecasting "a storm total swath of 4 to 7 inches of snow" across central Minnesota and western Wisconsin through this evening. The heaviest accumulation is expected along and north of Interstate 94, which includes the Twin Cities metro area, according to the Hazardous Weather Outlook issued by the National Weather Service Twin Cities/Chanhassen MN.
In addition to the snow, "gusty winds of 25 to 40 mph are expected during the day Thursday," as noted in the advisory, which may lead to blowing snow conditions that could dramatically reduce visibility. The combination of falling and blowing snow is anticipated to result in treacherous travel conditions, particularly during this morning’s commute. South and west regions of Minnesota can expect lighter total accumulations ranging between 1 to 3 inches, the National Weather Service reports.
Looking beyond today's flurry, the weather outlook for the coming days seems to be less eventful. "No hazardous weather is expected at this time" from Friday through Wednesday, which may come as a relief to those who've experienced the brunt of the winter storm. Even as Minneapolis weathers the immediate snowfall, the end of the week promises clearer skies with "mostly sunny" conditions slated for Friday, and "mostly cloudy" skies anticipated Saturday through Christmas Day as per the forecast.
For the safety of the community, snowfall observers and spotters are encouraged to report their findings to the National Weather Service. This participation helps meteorologists provide more accurate and timely weather updates and advisories to the public. With the fluctuating temperatures and the slight chance of snow, approaching Sunday night into Monday, residents are advised to keep abreast of the latest weather updates to plan their holiday travels and activities.
