Residents in and around Minneapolis should brace for a significant change in weather conditions as snowfall and cold temperatures are expected to sweep across the region. According to the National Weather Service (NWS) forecast, today will remain partly sunny with a high near 22 degrees. However, starting tonight, snowfall is anticipated to take hold. A 90% chance of snow after midnight is expected to lead to accumulations of 2 to 4 inches.
The snowy conditions will continue into Saturday, with the heaviest snowfall projected before 11 am, leading to additional accumulations of 1 to 3 inches. The NWS has urged residents to plan for slippery road travel as a result. Moving into Saturday night, temperatures are expected to drop sharply, with mostly clear skies bringing lows around -1 degrees. The trend of frigid temperatures will persist, with highs near 17 degrees on Sunday, ultimately dipping into more bitter conditions by Tuesday with a high near 4 and lows reaching -11 degrees in the following night.
In response to the impending weather changes, the NWS has issued a Hazardous Weather Outlook for the broader region, including central and southern Minnesota, and west central Wisconsin. The outlook warns of hazardous travel conditions due to snowfall starting tonight and continuing into Saturday. For areas under the Winter Weather Advisory, total snow accumulations could range between 3 and 6 inches.
Furthermore, the NWS emphasizes that the inclement weather will not just be a weekend event. The forecast extends through next week, noting, "Much colder air moves in early next week with wind chills of 25 to 35 below zero expected." The mention of wind chills this severe indicates that even after the snow ceases, the region will be grappling with a significant, and potentially dangerous, drop in temperatures. Residents are advised to proceed with caution and to stay up to date on the latest weather developments through local resources or by calling the dedicated road conditions hotline.
