Paul Douglas Weather Column: A Wintry Wallop

Todd's Conservation Minnesota Outlook for the Twin Cities and all of Minnesota:

TUESDAY: Rain likely and isolated thunderstorms. Slight chance of a snow/sleet mix. 0.50" to 0.75" rain possible. Windy and turning colder. Winds: E 15-30mph. High: 41

TUESDAY NIGHT: Rain continues, heavy at times before changing to a sleet/snow mix. Strong winds continue. Another 0.25" to 0.50" rain possible; 1" to 2" of wet, slushy snow possible. Wind: NE 15-30mph. Low: 29

WEDNESDAY: Much colder and windy with snow. Up to an additional 1" through the day. (total snow accumulations from Tuesday thru Wednesday) - 1" to 3" around the Twin Cities (more on the northeast side of the suburbs, 3" to 6" across central Minnesota, 6" to 12" or more in spots across northern Minnesota from Grand Forks, ND to Duluth, MN. Winds: NE 15-25mph. High:34.

THURSDAY: Lingering flurries early, then a mix of clouds and sun with more pm sunshine. Still cold, not as breezy. Low: 17. High: 30.

FRIDAY: Increasing clouds, light snow possible south. Low: 17. High: 34.

SATURDAY: Breezy. Partly sunny with a chance of light snow. Low: 19. High: 35.

SUNDAY: Brighter, not as breezy. Still chilly. Low: 20. High: 35.

MONDAY: Increasing clouds, slight chance of light snow again. Low: 20. High: 38.

Photo Courtesy - Paul Douglas - Driving to the Airport in the Northern Rockies on Monday, Paul Caught This Resident Moose Scrounging For a Tasty Treat - Nice Way to Round Out the Trip!

Here we go again. Drag out the heavy winter artillery for another round of, well, let me just put it this way, a complete and utter mess over the next couple of days. I think we'll be spared from the worst in the Twin Cities, but winter storm and blizzard warnings have been posted up north. Up to a foot of snow and close to 60mph winds off of Lake Superior will create quite a mess. This wet, heavy, stuff along with big winds, may be responsible for sporadic power outages in a few locations up north as well. A cold, brisk wind, with scattered snow showers will round out the storm as it swings through Wednesday. Total accumulations around the Twin Cities should be around 1" to 3" with the higher end of that scale being on the northern side of the suburbs.

NAM Snowfall Forecast

GFS Snowfall Forecast

Latest on the Winter Storm Warning HERE:

Latest on the Blizzard Warning HERE:

Latest Winter Statement HERE:

Duluth, MN National Weather Service Winter Weather Page HERE:

Twin Cities National Weather Service Winter Weather Page HERE:

Central and southern Minnesota will be warm enough to get up to an inch of rain or more, where thunderstorms develop, before changing to snow Wednesday.

Precipitation Forecast Through Thursday

Heavy Rain Up to 2" Possible Over Southeast Minnesota

Heavy Snow Up to 12" Possible Over Northern Minneosta

NAM Total Storm Precipitation

84 Hour Total Precipitation Forecast @ MSP (Either Rain, Sleet or Snow) = 1.67"

Note the Blob of 2" to 2.5" Liquid From Red Wing, MN to Eau Claire, WI

**BAD NEWS FOR RIVER SYSTEMS**

At this point, rain is the last thing we need with ongoing spring flood concerns.The threat for moderate and major flooding looks more and more likely for prone locations if this keeps up.