Brandon Weatherz: Tracking snow, winds and cold

Roads remain slick this morning from yesterday’s round of snow. Winds were the strongest early this morning and will gradually improve, but patchy blowing snow is still possible for the morning commute. Lake effect has lingered for parts of the South Shore, leading to a Winter Weather Advisory for Ashland and Iron Co. until 9 am. Temps heading out the door range from teens above zero to teens below with bitter wind chills for northern communities. It will be another cold night for northern areas with a Wind Chill Advisory in effect north of the Twin Ports from midnight until 10 am.

The next round of snow will edge into the Northland from the southwest this afternoon and overnight, then pull south for a brief lull on Wednesday. There’s some uncertainty in the northern extent of this round of snow and accumulation potential. As of now, we expect 1-3” from the Brainerd Lakes Area east and across southern parts of Douglas, Bayfield, Ashland, and Iron Co. with locally higher amounts possible. This has led to a Winter Weather Advisory in effect this afternoon in east central Minnesota and this evening in northwest Wisconsin. The Twin Ports is on the northern edge of potential for around an inch.

Lake effect snow will begin overnight for the Bayfield Peninsula as a gusty northeast wind develops. Lake effect potential reaches the Twin Ports and the rest of the Head of Lake Superior by noon, leading to a Winter Storm Watch beginning at 12 pm Wednesday here and lasting until 6 pm Thursday. The Winter Storm Watch for east central Minnesota and northwest Wisconsin begins at 6 pm Wednesday as widespread snow returns from the south in the evening and overnight.

Travel will deteriorate Wednesday night into Thursday morning as heavy snow arrives and winds intensify. Blizzard conditions are possible, particularly near Lake Superior where winds will gust near 50 mph. The strong northeast winds will also allow waves to build near 10 to 20 feet. Snow gradually tapers off from the west Thursday afternoon and night. There continues to be uncertainty in the northern extent of the heaviest snow. A line from Duluth Two Harbors is still on the northern edge of potential for 6-12” with amounts dropping off quickly moving north of that line. Parts of Northwest Wisconsin, particularly the Bayfield Peninsula and south of a line cutting through Burnett, Washburn, and Sawyer Co., could see 12-18”.

Today: Cooler with increasing clouds. Slight chance for evening snow. High 15. WNW wind 5-15 mph. Chance of snow: 20%.

Tonight: Mostly cloudy with a slight chance for snow. Low 3. NNE wind 5-15 mph. Chance of snow: 20%

Tomorrow: Windy and cloudy with a chance for snow. High 15. NE wind 15-25 mph. Chance of snow: 30%

Tomorrow night: Heavy snow and windy. Low 2. NE wind 20-30 mph. Chance of snow: 80%. Snow accumulation of 3-5” expected.

Thursday: Snow and wind. High 7. N wind 15-25 mph. Chance of snow: 90%. Snow accumulation of 3-5” expected.

Friday: Mostly sunny and cool. High 10. W wind 5-10 mph.

Saturday: Partly sunny and breezy. High 20. WSW wind 10-15 mph.

Sunday: Mostly sunny. High 26. SW wind 5-10 mph.

Monday: Mostly cloudy and breezy with a chance for snow. High 32. NNE wind 10-15 mph. Chance of snow: 30%