Brandon Weatherz: Travel deteriorates today

We continue to monitor a winter system that will impact the region beginning today and lasting through Wednesday. As of this morning, there has been a trend toward a more prolonged timeframe of snow and a slightly more northerly track, leading to higher numbers. A line from the Brainerd Lakes Area to Duluth remains on the northern edge of heavy snow potential, which is why the Winter Weather Advisory is in place along and south of this line. The Advisory starts at noon today and lasts until noon tomorrow.

Widespread accumulation for this portion of east central Minnesota and northwest Wisconsin is now expected to be 4-8”. Amounts are still expected to drop off quickly going north with little to nothing for the Iron Range. The greatest totals will be in Northwest Wisconsin. A Winter Storm Warning is in effect for Bayfield and Ashland Counties from noon today until 6 pm Wednesday.

Areas of freezing fog overnight have brought a thin layer of ice to be mindful of this morning. It’s another gray day with overcast skies and areas of fog lingering. A breezy northeast wind develops today and continues through Wednesday night. The strongest gusts will be near Lake Superior where blowing snow is possible. Snow will arrive from the south through the afternoon reaching the Twin Ports around 3 pm. Initial wintry mix and glaze of ice are still possible.

Expect travel to become difficult by the evening commute and remain difficult through tomorrow morning. Periods of snow showers now look to linger around the Head of Lake Superior and south through Wednesday night, but additional accumulation after Wednesday morning should be light. Once we’re done with this system, the rest of the forecast is quiet and relatively seasonable.

Today: Cloudy and breezy with areas of fog. Snow arrives after 3 pm. High 28. NE wind 10-15 mph. Chance of snow: 90%. Accumulation of 1-3” expected.

Tonight: Cloudy and breezy with snow. Low 20. NE wind 15-20 mph. Chance of snow: 90%. Accumulation of 1-3” expected.

Tomorrow: Cloudy and breezy with periods of snow. High 26. NE wind 15-20 mph. Chance of snow: 60%. Accumulation of 1-3” expected.

Tomorrow night: Cloudy and breezy with a chance for snow showers. Low 10. Chance of snow: 50%. Accumulation less than an inch expected.

Thursday: Partly cloudy. High 21. N wind 5-10 mph.

Friday: Mostly sunny. High 19. W wind 5-10 mph.

Saturday: Partly cloudy. High 23. W wind 2-8 mph.

Sunday: Partly cloudy. High 22. W wind 5-10 mph.

Monday: Partly cloudy. High 24. SW wind 5-10 mph.