MINNEAPOLIS — An early look at Thanksgiving week shows a growing chance of accumulating snow across much of the Midwest. Impacts from the recent polar vortex disruption are expected to start taking shape during that week. A medium snow risk covers large parts of the northern Plains and Upper Midwest. This outlook covers the whole week of Thanksgiving, not just Thanksgiving Day.
First Accumulating Snow Holding Off for Now
The average first snow usually arrives around this time for many parts of the region. This year, aside from a few isolated areas, the first accumulating snowfall is expected to wait until later in November. A long stretch of mild weather has helped delay it.
Only small areas, such as Michigan’s Upper Peninsula, have seen light snow so far. Most of the region has stayed too warm for snow to stick. That could change as colder air arrives later in the month.
Medium Snow Risk Across the North
The medium snow risk zone covers much of North Dakota, South Dakota, Minnesota, and Wisconsin. That includes Bismarck, Fargo, Grand Forks, Aberdeen, Pierre, and Sioux Falls. Duluth, St. Cloud, Minneapolis, St. Paul, and Rochester are also included.
The zone stretches into Iowa, Nebraska, and northern Illinois. Cities like Des Moines, Cedar Rapids, Davenport, Omaha, and Rockford fall in the medium risk area. Madison, Milwaukee, Green Bay, and much of Michigan are also included.
Low Snow Risk Farther South
A low snow risk covers areas farther south. That includes Lincoln, Topeka, Kansas City, and St. Louis. Chicago, Peoria, Springfield, and Indianapolis are also in the low-risk zone…