Brandon Weatherz: Winter storm exits today

Our Thursday begins with the snowiest period of the winter storm we’ve been tracking. Snowfall rates around an inch per hour were observed in Duluth overnight, leading to quick accumulation of several fresh inches since midnight. Many roads are snow covered near the Twin Ports and south across east central Minnesota and northwest Wisconsin. Expect additional accumulation and blowing snow to impact travel through the morning and afternoon. Bitter cold is also a contender this morning, with a Wind Chill Advisory in effect until noon north of the Twin Ports.

All winter headlines are with us until 6 pm. This includes a Winter Weather Advisory from Grand Rapids to the Iron Range, a Winter Storm Warning for South St. Louis County and south of there, and a Blizzard Warning for Bayfield and Ashland County. This is where the heaviest accumulation and strongest winds are expected. Times of whiteout conditions are possible outside of the Blizzard Warning, but they will be prolonged here.

The responsible area of low pressure is near the intersection of Iowa, Illinois, and Wisconsin this morning. It will be on the move toward New York and Pennsylvania by this evening. As it exits to the east, we’ll see an improvement to both snow and winds from the west today. Widespread snow will continue through the morning and into the early afternoon, then we clear out from the west. Duluth should be done with the snow by 6 pm. We’ll look to the South Shore the rest of the evening for lingering snow. Additional accumulation after 10 am will be an inch or two for the Twin Ports and most areas. The exception is the South Shore where localized accumulation of 6″ is still possible.

Highs today stay in single digits and teens. The bitter cold is felt tonight as we fall to minus single digits near the South Shore and -20s in the cold pockets of northern Minnesota. We stay cool and sunny on Friday. Temps trend warmer through a rather quiet weekend. A quick round of snow showers is possible Friday night, then Sunday night into Monday would be the next chance for widespread accumulation.

Today: Snow and wind in the morning, then snow showers lingering in the afternoon. High 8. N wind 10-20 mph. Chance of snow: 100%. Snow accumulation of 2-4” expected.

Tonight: Decreasing clouds and cold. Low -11. NNW wind 5-10 mph.

Tomorrow: Mostly sunny and cool. High 11. W wind 2-8 mph.

Tomorrow night: Mostly cloudy with snow showers. Low -1. WSW wind 5-10 mph. Chance of snow: 40%. Less than an inch expected.

Saturday: Partly sunny. High 20. SW wind 5-15 mph.

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

Monday: Mostly cloudy and breezy with a chance for snow. High 32. NE wind 10-15 mph. Chance of snow: 70%

Tuesday: Mostly sunny and breezy. W wind 10-15 mph.

Wednesday: Mostly cloudy with a slight chance for snow. High 27. NE wind 5-15 mph.