Strong winds, slushy snow make January appearance in Minnesota
Thursday starts with light rain and drizzle which will turn to snow after sunset. (FOX 9 / FOX 9)
(FOX 9) - There will brief period of freezing drizzle Thursday morning, then it’s drizzle and light rain before gradually changing over to some scattered snowflakes through Thursday afternoon.
The widespread snow gets going after sunset with the bulk of accumulating snow occurring for most Thursday night through sunrise Friday. Some leftover flakes will be found from the Twin Cities and points south and eastward through Friday afternoon.
While the metro will miss out on the bulk of the winds, southwestern Minnesota will not with a Blizzard Warning in place for areas from Fairmont and Hutchinson and points westward for heavy snow and strong winds leading to whiteout conditions at times.
Warnings and winter weather advisories are in effect across Minnesota. (FOX 9)
The heaviest snow will likely fall in southern Minnesota with widespread amounts of 6 inches or more, with locally 10 inches possible. For the Twin Cities however, it will be lighter amounts, but certainly more than enough to shovel with 2 to 4 inches most common by the time the snow wraps up Friday evening. Winds could cause a concern for blowing snow and impact visibility.
Unlike most January storms, this will be more "spring-like" snow as it will be very heavy, wet and slushy.
The storm led to poor road conditions in some parts of Minnesota. From 8 a.m. to 9:45 p.m., there were 109 crashes (15 with injuries), 110 spinouts or vehicles that went off the road and 7 jackknifed semis statewide, according to Minnesota State Patrol.
A timeline for the next 36 hours as a winter storm moves into Minnesota. (FOX 9)
TIMELINE
Thursday: Light rain to slushy snow; off and on rain and snow; roads mostly wet
Thursday night: Light to moderate snow; bands of snow with bulk accumulation
Friday: Pockets of light snow; some gusty breezes with fairly mild temperatures
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