A snow-slickened morning to begin March

The Twin Cities area already has received more snow on Wednesday than fell during all of last month. Areas of snow developed overnight across southeastern and east central Minnesota.

Snowfall intensity increased as the bands moved into and across the metro area. Many spinouts and even rollovers have been occurring on the highways.

The snow is in the process of ending across the metro area from northwest to southeast after dropping about an inch or so but will continue in southeastern Minnesota and west central Wisconsin where accumulations could reach 2 to 3 inches locally.

The rest of Wednesday

After the early-morning snow ends, the weather should be rather quiet well into the afternoon before we have a chance of a few flurries but little or no accumulation. Highs today will range from the low 20s in the north to the mid 30s in the Twin Cities and across the south.

Severe weather

As was forecast by the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration's Storm Prediction Center, there was a significant outbreak of severe weather in the middle of the country that began yesterday and continued overnight. Reports that have been received so far are shown on the map below. Red dots represent tornado reports, blue ones are for damaging winds and green dots identify damaging hail one inch in diameter or larger.

Another severe weather outbreak is expected today a little farther to the east. Severe thunderstorm and tornado watches have already been issued.

February stats for Minnesota

How February treated you meteorologically depended greatly on where in Minnesota you spent the month. The Twin Cities area was remarkably mild. Temperatures averaged an amazing 10.3 degrees warmer than normal. The official snowfall was a meager three-tenths of an inch to tie the record for the least-snowy February. The National Weather Service measured just a trace of snow at their office in Chanhassen.

Meanwhile, Rochester, Minn., received a more-typical 10.4 inches. Duluth picked up 14.1 inches of snow and still has 8 inches on the ground for winter sports.

Looking ahead

Here is a summary of our expected upcoming weather from the National Weather Service.

Areas of light snow are likely to develop late tonight and Thursday morning across about the southern third of Minnesota. Accumulations could be up to about an inch but variable.

Tomorrow will be cooler. Expect high temperatures from about 10 in the northwestern corner to the low 30s in the Twin Cities and the south.

Friday might bring some light rain or snow to southwestern Minnesota.

Weekend warmup

The weekend warmup remains on the agenda. High temperatures should reach the 50s on Saturday and especially Sunday over about the southern half of the state. The north will see a lot of snow-melting 40s.

Monday storms

Monday is likely to be a transition day. Very mild air will flow into Minnesota from the south ahead of an advancing cold front. Showers and thunderstorms are likely.

Tuesday will be significantly cooler behind that front.