Our Friday morning commute has slippery stretches, mostly in east central Minnesota and northwest Wisconsin, as well as locally around the Head of Lake Superior. The more significant winter storm that’s been the talk of the week has now warranted a Winter Storm Watch across the Northland from 7 am Sunday until 7 am Tuesday.

The Winter Weather Advisory that had been issued for southern communities going into this morning has been allowed to expire early. Widespread light snow accumulation has fallen generally south of the Twin Ports overnight. More locally, a band of lake effect snow has brought light accumulations from near Two Harbors to the Twin Ports and into the South Shore. Lake effect shifts along the South Shore through the morning and into the afternoon as winds shift to north and north west. Additional amounts after 7 am should be up to 1″ locally.

Skies clear through the day as high pressure builds into the region from the northwest and sets the stage for a cold night. Today’s highs range from mid-20s to mid-30s looking from north to south. We fall back into single digits tonight with the cool areas up north dipping a few degrees below zero. Saturday is dry and cool with few clouds and light winds. It’s another day in 20s and 30s 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. There may be a period of freezing rain and ice accumulation Monday night with subfreezing surface temps. Snow gradually takes back over from the west 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, we’re generally on track with what the Storm Track Weather team has been saying. The lowest amounts will be looking eastward in northern Wisconsin, even so 6” is possible for Rhinelander. Greater than 12” is still possible in a swatch reaching from South Dakota across central Minnesota and into much of northern Minnesota and far northwestern Wisconsin, including the Twin Ports. Elevated amounts are possible in the high terrain of the North Shore.

Today: A slight chance for snow in the morning with decreasing clouds. High 32. N wind 10-15 mph.

Tonight: Mostly clear, cool, and blustery. Low 7. NNW wind 5-15 mph.

Tomorrow: Partly cloudy. High 30. WNW wind 5-10 mph.

Tomorrow night: Cloudy with a slight chance for snow late. Low 21. E wind 5-10 mph.

Sunday: Snow showers becoming steady in the afternoon. Breezy. High 31. E wind 15-20 mph. Chance of snow: 90%. 1-3” of snow expected.

Sunday night: Snow and wind. Snow may be heavy at times. Low 24. E wind 15-25 mph. Chance of snow: 100%. 3-5” of snow expected.

Monday: Snow and wind. Snow may be heavy at times. High 34. E wind 25-30 mph. Chance of snow: 90% 3-5” of snow expected.

Monday night: Snow, possibly mixed with rain, and wind. Low 26. NE wind 20-30 mph. Chance of snow: 90%. 1-3” of snow expected.

Tuesday: Scattered snow showers and breezy. High 33. N wind 15-20 mph. Chance of snow: 70%. 1-3” of snow expected.

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

Thursday: Partly cloudy. High 35. WNW wind 5-15mph.