Twin Cities, MN – A powerful winter storm is set to bring blizzard conditions to western Minnesota from late Friday night through Saturday evening, with heavy snow, freezing rain, and damaging winds expected to create hazardous travel conditions.
According to the National Weather Service in Twin Cities/Chanhassen, rain will transition into a wintry mix of sleet and freezing rain after 4 a.m. Saturday before turning into heavy snow between 7 a.m. and 10 a.m. Snowfall rates could reach 1 to 2 inches per hour by mid-morning. Additionally, northwest winds are forecasted to gust up to 55 mph, leading to potential whiteout conditions.
A Winter Storm Watch is in effect for Chippewa, Douglas, Lac Qui Parle, Pope, Stevens, Swift, and Yellow Medicine counties. Forecasters warn of total snow accumulations between 2 and 4 inches, along with sleet and ice accumulations that could make roads extremely slippery. The combination of snow and strong winds may cause extensive tree and power line damage…