Minnesota weather: Blizzard-like conditions Thursday evening, Friday
MINNEAPOLIS (FOX 9) - After several inches of snow on Wednesday, roads across the Twin Cities and beyond are covered in snow, making things slippery on Thursday.
According to MnDOT's website, roads — including major highways — are partially or completely covered in snow and/or ice. Several road incidents, including crashes and vehicles off the road, have been reported during the morning commute.
As the sun rose Thursday, the conditions on the roadways started to improve, but there are still slick spots. For a live look at conditions across the region, click play in the player at the top of the page.
Traveling is expected to get worse as the day progresses. There's a lull in the two part-storm Thursday morning., but then blizzard-like conditions are possible Thursday evening, which could make travel dangerous due to whiteout conditions and blowing snow that could create snowdrifts on roadways in the region.
This also comes as temperatures remain frigid across Minnesota and much of the country.
Timeline of what to expect
Blowing snow on Thursday evening
Thursday's forecast [11 a.m.]: Winds increase late Thursday; blizzard warnings issued
Travel could be very difficult if not impossible Thursday night through Saturday morning due to winds blowing around the light, fluffy snow that fell on Wednesday. Travel is not advised in the blizzard warning zones over the next 48 hours.
There's a lull in the action Thursday morning, so get your shoveling done now as it'll be nearly impossible later on. That's because gusty winds will gradually increase throughout the day, leading to blowing snow Thursday evening — and through Saturday morning.
A blizzard warning goes into effect at noon Thursday in southern and western Minnesota. And then at 6 p.m., a blizzard warning that includes portions of the Twin Cities metro will go into effect. These warnings are in effect until 6 a.m. Saturday. Meanwhile, a winter storm warning will be in effect for the rest of the Twin Cities, as well as areas north and east of the blizzard warning area.
When the winds pick up, expect whiteout conditions with blowing and driving snow, and hazardous to near-impossible travel conditions at times from Thursday into Saturday morning.
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Meanwhile, it will also be frigid, with a high of around 4 below zero and windchill will be around 40 below at times.
Low visibility Friday
The hazardous travel conditions continue on Friday, with blizzard-like conditions creating low visibility throughout the day and into Saturday morning. The worst conditions will be south of Interstate 94 where travel could be impossible, but visibility and drifting will be an issue for all, especially Friday.
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The National Weather Service says the possible ground blizzard and dangerously cold conditions Thursday and Friday could make travel impossible and life-threatening. A high of 1 below with windchill as cold as 40 below is possible Friday.
Conditions improve Saturday
Here's the seven-day forecast, as of Thursday morning. (FOX 9)
The blowing snow will calm down Saturday morning, but the frigid temperatures continue. The high on Saturday is 3 degrees for the Twin Cities with a low of 9 below zero.
Sunday's high will be in the single digits. But then things get warmer after Christmas — Monday will see a high in the teens, while it'll be warmer on Tuesday with highs around 20 degrees and a high of 30 degrees on Wednesday.