Sabrina Ullman: Light rain/snow tonight, heavy snow Thursday

Precipitation has already begun to enter the Northland. We will see this continue for the next few days. With overnight lows in the mid-thirties in northern Wisconsin, we will see our precipitation type stay as rain until tomorrow afternoon. The Minnesota Borderlands will have overnight lows in the upper-twenties and a dusting of snow tonight. In-between, there will be a wintry mix.

The precipitation type will transition to snow throughout the Northland midday Thursday. We will see the heaviest snowfall from early Thursday evening until Friday morning. In addition to the heavy snow, there will be whiteout conditions likely due to strong winds. A northerly wind will pick up speed, reaching 15-20 mph with gusts 30 mph or higher.

Snow will likely continue for much of Friday, potentially into Saturday morning. We will see snowfall rates decrease in the afternoon for most of the area. The South Shore will have heavy lake-effect snow through Friday night.

Snowfall accumulations will be 3-6 inches west of St. Louis County. The rest of the Northland will have at least six inches of snow. With lake-effect snow adding to the South Shore totals, we are likely to have over a foot of snow for Bayfield County and areas east. The South Shore Snow Belt could even see over 18” of snow by the time this is over Saturday afternoon.

On the bright side, Sunday will be sunny with afternoon highs in the low thirties- perfect for shoveling snow.

Tonight

A chance of rain before 2am, then rain and snow likely. Cloudy, with a low around 30. East wind 5 to 10 mph, with gusts as high as 15 mph. Chance of precipitation is 60%. Little or no snow accumulation expected.

Thursday

Rain and snow likely before 11am, then snow, possibly mixed with rain and sleet between 11am and noon, then snow after noon. The snow could be heavy at times. High near 34. Breezy, with a north wind around 15 mph, with gusts as high as 20 mph. Chance of precipitation is 100%. New snow and sleet accumulation of 3 to 5 inches possible.

Thursday Night

Snow. Patchy blowing snow between 8pm and midnight. Low around 15. Blustery, with a north wind 15 to 20 mph, with gusts as high as 30 mph. Chance of precipitation is 80%. New snow accumulation of 3 to 5 inches possible.

Friday

Snow. Patchy blowing snow before 9am. High near 22. Blustery, with a north wind 15 to 20 mph, with gusts as high as 30 mph. Chance of precipitation is 80%. New snow accumulation of 1 to 2 inches possible.

Friday Night

Snow likely. Patchy blowing snow. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 8. Windy, with a north wind 20 to 25 mph, with gusts as high as 35 mph. Chance of precipitation is 70%. New snow accumulation of less than a half inch possible.

Saturday

A slight chance of snow before 1pm. Patchy blowing snow before 3pm. Partly sunny, with a high near 24. Windy, with a north wind 20 to 25 mph, with gusts as high as 35 mph.

Sunday

Sunny, with a high near 31. Breezy, with a west wind 10 to 15 mph, with gusts as high as 20 mph.

Monday

Mostly sunny, with a high near 35. Southwest wind around 10 mph, with gusts as high as 15 mph.

Tuesday

A slight chance of snow. Partly sunny, with a high near 35. Southeast wind around 10 mph, with gusts as high as 15 mph.