We’re on track to see a round of snow bring slick conditions for the Friday morning commute, mainly in east central Minnesota and northwest Wisconsin. The more significant winter storm that’s been the talk of the week still looks to bring travel impacts starting Sunday and possibly lasting through Tuesday.

Our Thursday starts off cool with temps in single digits north of the Iron Range and teens for much of the rest of the region. It’ll be a touch milder today with highs ranging from mid-20s to mid-30s looking from north to south across the Northland with around 30 in the Twin Ports. Skies are partly sunny with a patchwork of high clouds.

A Winter Weather Advisory is in effect for Crow Wing, South Aitkin, Pine, Burnett, Washburn, Sawyer, and Price counties from 7 pm today until 10 am tomorrow where 2-4″ are expected. The greatest chance for more than 3″ remains south of the Northland. Amounts drop off going north with Grand Rapids, Duluth, and Ashland on the northern edge for as much as one inch and a dusting may not reach north of the Iron Range. Plan for a few more minutes for the Friday morning commute to clear the snow off the car and drive with caution.

Tonight is cloudy with lows in low teens by the Canadian border to low 20s from Brainerd to Moose Lake. Snow builds in from the west after 7 pm and tapers off to the east through the morning Friday. Friday’s highs will once again feature mid-20s to mid-30s. Temps fall back into single digits Friday night under clear skies, then Saturday is dry and cool with most areas staying below freezing.

Sunday is when snow builds into the region from the south through the morning and afternoon and an east wind picks up. The period of heaviest snow, strongest winds, and worst travel may be Sunday night into Monday. Blizzard conditions are possible, particularly along the North Shore.

The key question for Monday will be the location of a stalled out front dividing warm air to the east of it and cold air to the west. Rain will turn over in the warm sector while snow continues on the cold side. Snow then takes back over Monday night and Tuesday before the system finally exits the region to our northeast.

Accumulation potential remains in flux as the track of the storm and placement of warmer air is still in question. At this time, at least 6″ is expected across the Northland with 12-18″ possible for many, including the Twin Ports, the North Shore, and north Central Minnesota.

Today: Mostly cloudy. High 30. SW wind 2-8 mph.

Tonight: Mostly cloudy with snow showers. Low 19. E wind 5-10 mph. Chance of snow 40%. Up to 1” of snow possible.

Tomorrow: A slight chance for snow in the morning with decreasing clouds. High 31. N wind 10-15 mph.

Tomorrow night: Mostly clear, cool, and blustery. Low 8. NNW wind 5-15 mph.

Saturday: Partly cloudy. High 29. NW wind 5-10 mph.

Sunday: Snow and breezy. High 29. E wind 15-20 mph. Chance of snow: 70%

Monday: Snow and wind. High 34. E wind 25-30 mph. Chance of snow: 90%

Tuesday: Scattered snow showers and breezy. High 33. N wind 15-20 mph. Chance of snow: 60%

Wednesday: Partly cloudy and breezy. High 33. W wind 10-20 mph.