Sabrina Ullman: Tracking Tuesday’s storm

We could see a few flurries in northern Minnesota Monday, but the main focus this week is on the mid-week storm.

Our much-anticipated winter storm will be a mixed bag, with all precipitation types possible. A strong Colorado low will enter the Northland Tuesday morning.

Pine County and areas east will likely have more rain than snow, which is why the snowfall amounts are lower. The far northern portion of Minnesota will just have snow and have the highest amounts as it is on the northwest area of the low-pressure system that is heading our way.

The area in-between will be a messy mix. Duluth, for instance, will have snow as the main precipitation type up the hill while areas by the lake deal with mostly freezing rain on Tuesday.

By the time we get to Wednesday, the precipitation type will be just snow. The heaviest snowfall will be Tuesday night into Wednesday morning. This system will last into Thursday morning.

With strong northeast winds, especially near the lake, blizzard conditions will be possible Tuesday night into Wednesday morning. This is the wet, heavy type of snow, but wind gusts of 45-60 mph will reduce visibility significantly.

A Winter Storm Watch has been issued for all of our Minnesota Counties in the Northland except for Pine County. This will be in effect Tuesday morning until Thursday morning.

With rain on snow for portions of northern Wisconsin, there is a risk of minor flooding and ponding of water. We also could have a few rumbles of thunder Tuesday night in the area stretching from Burnett County diagonal to Ashland County and south.

Today

Rain, snow, and freezing rain likely before 3pm, then a slight chance of rain and snow between 3pm and 4pm. Cloudy, with a high near 41. Breezy, with a southeast wind 10 to 15 mph, with gusts as high as 25 mph. Chance of precipitation is 70%. Little or no ice accumulation expected. New snow accumulation of less than a half inch possible.

Monday

Partly sunny, with a high near 40. West wind 5 to 10 mph becoming northeast in the afternoon. Winds could gust as high as 15 mph.

Tuesday

Snow. The snow could be heavy at times. Widespread blowing snow, mainly after 1pm. High near 32. Very windy, with an east wind 25 to 30 mph increasing to 35 to 40 mph in the afternoon. Winds could gust as high as 55 mph. Chance of precipitation is 90%. New snow accumulation of 3 to 5 inches possible.

Wednesday

Snow, possibly mixed with rain, becoming all snow after 1pm. Widespread blowing snow, mainly before 8am. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 34. Windy, with an east wind 25 to 30 mph becoming northwest in the afternoon. Winds could gust as high as 50 mph.

Thursday

Mostly sunny, with a high near 32. Breezy, with a west wind around 20 mph, with gusts as high as 30 mph.

Friday

Mostly sunny, with a high near 41. Breezy, with a south wind 10 to 15 mph, with gusts as high as 20 mph.

Saturday

A slight chance of snow. Mostly sunny, with a high near 45. Breezy, with a northwest wind 10 to 15 mph becoming southwest in the afternoon. Winds could gust as high as 20 mph.