Updraft: January 2, 2009 Archive

More than a nuisance

Posted at 8:59 AM on January 2, 2009 by Craig Edwards

Tired of watching football and visiting the mall? Well, Mother Nature has game on this weekend in Minnesota and Wisconsin.

With high pressure sitting over the region this morning things were pretty quiet, yet cold on the weather front. All the dynamics begin to change in the next twenty-four hours as a storm system takes shape east of the Rockies.

If you are into outdoor recreation, get out there and enjoy today. If you have travel plans back to home base you may want to move that trip to today as well. Perilious travel conditions are in store for Saturday into Sunday. Up to a foot of snow is possible somewhere in central Minnesota and northwest Wisconsin by the time we reach daybreak on Sunday.

Graphical forecast from Duluth

CE
naturesmessenger.com

Caution: storm track overhead

Posted at 4:09 PM on January 2, 2009 by Paul Huttner

NOAA SREF 21 model ensemble paints heavy snow over northern Minnesota again this weekend.

Here it comes again.

The next active weather system is chugging east out of the northern Rockies for Minnesota. This looks to be another efficient snow producer, especially for areas north of the metro. Folks in Brainerd, St, Cloud, the Iron Range, Duluth and the rest of the North Shore may be shoveling 6"-12" again by Sunday.

Duluth NWS
Grand Forks NWS

It looks as if the Twin Cities will be on the edge of the heavy snow band again, with the highest snow totals likely in the north and east Metro. As a range, we should see as little as 2" southwest of the metro, to as much a 6" in the far north and east. We can really see a big snowfall gradient when we sit on the edge of these heavy snow bands.

Twin Cities NWS

There may be a brief shot of snow overnight as the warm air pushes in ahead of the system. But look for the main event Saturday evening and overnight. We could see snow begin in the metro between 3 and 6pm Saturday, and taper off before 6am Sunday morning.

Skiers must love this winter so far. Snowmobilers too. I love the beautiful landscape outside the Huttner Weather Lab windows. But then again, I don't have far to drive this weekend!

PH