Justin Liles: Major winter storm to cause disruptions

Another round of winter weather is set to cause some major problems around the upper Midwest. This includes nearly all of Minnesota, Wisconsin and U.P. of Michigan. Beginning this evening a quick round snow will get under way from the Twin Ports to Minneapolis. I know there will be many concerns for travelers as the hockey tournaments begin this week. If you have any plans on traveling your best bet will be to go Wednesday morning to early Wednesday afternoon. A lull is expected during this time and should allow for safe travel. Winds will increase throughout the day.

Winds are expected to gust near the lake and shoreline up to 40-60 mph. Whiteout conditions are likely during the Wednesday night into Thursday timeframe. Dangerous travel from the Twin Ports south through Minnesota and Wisconsin is likely and widespread disruptions are likely. To go along with these gusty winds, lakeshore flooding is possible with 10-20 ft. waves.

There will be some 6+ snow is likely across NW WI, south of Hwy 2 in MN. Highest values of 12”+ from southern Pine County to Price County. Lake enhancement could lead to locally higher amounts of 14-20” along South Shore. The Minneapolis area is likely to see just as much snow too.

TONIGHT
Snow likely with a chance of flurries before 4am, then a slight chance of snow between 4am and 5am. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 5. Blustery, with a north wind 5 to 10 mph increasing to 10 to 15 mph after midnight. Winds could gust as high as 20 mph.
WEDNESDAY
A chance of flurries between 11am and 2pm, then a slight chance of snow after 2pm. Patchy blowing snow after noon. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 14. Windy, with a northeast wind 15 to 25 mph, with gusts as high as 35 mph.
WEDNESDAY NIGHT
Snow, mainly after midnight. The snow could be heavy at times. Widespread blowing snow, mainly after 11pm. Low around 3. Windy, with a northeast wind 25 to 30 mph, with gusts as high as 40 mph. Chance of precipitation is 100%. New snow accumulation of 3 to 5 inches possible.
THURSDAY
Snow. Widespread blowing snow, mainly before 10am. High near 7. Windy, with a north wind 25 to 30 mph decreasing to 15 to 20 mph in the afternoon. Winds could gust as high as 40 mph. Chance of precipitation is 100%. New snow accumulation of 2 to 4 inches possible.
FRIDAY
Mostly sunny, with a high near 10. Northwest wind 5 to 10 mph becoming southwest in the afternoon.
SATURDAY
Partly sunny, with a high near 20. Southwest wind around 10 mph, with gusts as high as 15 mph.
SUNDAY
Sunny, with a high near 26. West wind around 10 mph becoming south in the afternoon.