Winter weather advisories start 10 p.m. Sunday in parts of Minn.
This is the final day of April, but a winter flashback is in the forecast.
Periods of rain are expected today, possibly mixed with a few wet snowflakes in parts of western Minnesota.
Southeastern Minnesota and the Twin Cities could also see an isolated afternoon or evening thunderstorm.
As cold air enters the weather system Sunday evening and Sunday night, a changeover to sloppy snow will happen in many parts of Minnesota. Those areas will see periods of snow on Monday as well.
Create a More Connected Minnesota
MPR News is your trusted resource for the news you need. With your support, MPR News brings accessible, courageous journalism and authentic conversation to everyone - free of paywalls and barriers. Your gift makes a difference.
The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration’s North American Mesoscale forecast model shows the potential precipitation pattern:
Green areas indicate rain, blue areas indicate snow.
The color chart to the right of the loop refers to the strength of the signal returning to the radar, not inches of snow!
The Twin Cities metro area will have periods of rain Sunday through Monday, but some wet flakes could mix with the snow late Sunday night and on Monday.
Winter weather advisories
Parts of southwestern, west-central, central and northeastern Minnesota have winter weather advisories that begin Sunday night.
Here's a depiction of the advisories, and possible snow amounts, courtesy of the National Weather Service:
The Twin Cities metro area is not included in the winter weather advisory, but a little bit of snow could accumulate on grassy areas in the northwest and north sections of the metro area Sunday night into Monday.
Here are some advisory details, from the NWS:
URGENT - WINTER WEATHER MESSAGE
National Weather Service Twin Cities/Chanhassen MN
339 AM CDT Sun Apr 30 2017
...Wet Snow expected tonight across Western and Central
Minnesota...
.A Winter Weather Advisory is in effect from 10 PM Sunday night
through noon Monday for western and central Minnesota. A heavy wet
snow with totals of 2 to 5 inches are possible, along with strong
northeast wind gusts of 25 to 35 mph. The heaviest snow will fall
between 1 AM and 7 AM Monday morning. Plan for slippery roads and
slow travel.
MNZ044-045-049-050-057-301645-
/O.NEW.KMPX.WW.Y.0011.170501T0300Z-170501T1700Z/
Mille Lacs-Kanabec-Stearns-Benton-Kandiyohi-
Including the cities of Princeton, Mora, St Cloud, Foley,
and Willmar
339 AM CDT Sun Apr 30 2017
...WINTER WEATHER ADVISORY IN EFFECT FROM 10 PM THIS EVENING TO
NOON CDT MONDAY...
The National Weather Service in Twin Cities/Chanhassen has issued
a Winter Weather Advisory for snow...which is in effect from 10
PM this evening to noon CDT Monday.
* Expect rain to change over to snow around 10 PM and then
diminish around noon Monday.
* The heaviest snowfall rates will occur between 1 AM and 7 AM
Monday.
* Total wet snow accumulations of 2 to 5 inches are expected.
* Plan on slippery road conditions...including during the
morning commute on Monday.
* A few power outages are possible if the heavy wet snow causes
tree branches to break.
Precautionary/Preparedness actions...
A winter weather advisory for wet snow means periods of wet snow
will cause primarily travel difficulties. be prepared for snow
covered roads and limited visibilities...and use caution while
driving. THE LATEST ROAD CONDITIONS FOR THE STATE YOU ARE CALLING
FROM CAN BE OBTAINED BY CALLING 5 1 1.
Here's a depiction of the snow potential for the northeastern Minnesota, from the Duluth NWS office:
URGENT - WINTER WEATHER MESSAGE
National Weather Service Duluth MN
348 AM CDT Sun Apr 30 2017
...SNOW ACROSS CENTRAL AND NORTHEAST MINNESOTA TONIGHT AND EARLY
MONDAY...
.A potent area of low pressure will lift from the Southern Plains
this morning to the Upper Midwest by Monday morning, and it will
spread rain into the Northland from the south tonight and Monday
morning. The rain will transition to snow late tonight and early
Monday, bringing accumulating snowfall to much of central and
northeast Minnesota. Areas from the Brainerd Lakes region, to the
Duluth, Cloquet, and Grand Rapids areas, and into the Iron Range
and Arrowhead will will likely get widespread snowfall of 3 to 5
inches. The snow should transition back to a wintry mixture of
rain and snow, with little additional accumulation, by Monday
afternoon. There could be an additional couple inches of snow in
the Arrowhead Monday night, after the break in accumulating snow
Monday afternoon.
MNZ037-301900-
/O.NEW.KDLH.WW.Y.0020.170501T0500Z-170501T1700Z/
Carlton/South St. Louis-
Including the city of Duluth
348 AM CDT Sun Apr 30 2017
...WINTER WEATHER ADVISORY IN EFFECT FROM MIDNIGHT TONIGHT TO
NOON CDT MONDAY...
The National Weather Service in Duluth has issued a Winter
Weather Advisory for snow...which is in effect from midnight
tonight to noon CDT Monday.
* LOCATIONS...The Brainerd Lakes region, to the Duluth and Grand
Rapids areas, and into the Iron Range and Arrowhead.
* TIMING...Late Sunday night through Monday morning.
* SNOW ACCUMULATIONS...Widespread 3 to 5 inches. There could be
isolated amounts up to 6 inches.
* WINDS...Northeast 5 to 15 mph with gusts up to 25 mph, but
stronger winds of 10 to 20 mph with gusts to 30 mph near the
Duluth and Cloquet areas because of strong flow from Lake
Superior.
* VISIBILITIES...One half mile or so at times during in the
heaviest falling snow, but it could be a quarter mile at times
near the Duluth and Cloquet areas because of the strong winds
from Lake Superior.
* IMPACTS...Snow covered roads and lower visibility from the snow
and winds could make for difficult travel conditions across much
of northeast Minnesota late tonight and early Monday.
PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...
A winter weather advisory for snow means that accumulating snow
will cause travel difficulties. Be prepared for snow covered roads
and reduced visibility...and use caution while driving. Allow
extra time to reach your destination.
The timing of the arrival of cold air will have a big effect on snow amounts, so check back for weather updates.
Updates
Minnesota Public Radio will keep you updated on the wintry weather that will spread over parts of Minnesota.
Updated weather information will also be posted on the MPR news live weather blog.
You can also check with the Twin Cities office, Duluth office and Sioux Falls, SD office of the National Weather Service for weather updates. The NWS sites have clickable maps for the forecast at your specific location.
The Minnesota Department of Transportation will have current road conditions.
Programming note
You can hear my live weather updates on Minnesota Public Radio at 7:49 a.m. Thursdays and Fridays, and at 7:35 and 9:35 a.m., plus 4:35 p.m., each Saturday and Sunday.