4-11 Inches Of Snowfall Possible, NWS Says: MN Weather

MINNEAPOLIS — Potential snowfall totals for the winter storm set to arrive in the Twin Cities metro area late Thursday have increased. Between 4 and 11 inches of snow is forecasted to accumulate, according to the National Weather Service.

A winter storm warning has been issued for the counties of Hennepin, Anoka, Ramsey, Washington, Carver, Scott, Dakota, Le Sueur, Rice, and Goodhue. It will last through Saturday morning.

"Plan on slippery road conditions," the NWS said. "Patchy blowing snow could significantly reduce visibility. Gusty winds could bring down tree branches."

Before the snowstorm, residents will face rain and freezing rain Thursday. Here's a timeline for the type of precipitation coming our way:

Check out the localized forecast for Minneapolis, St. Paul, and the nearby towns and suburbs.

Here's the specific NWS forecast from the Minneapolis-St. Paul Airport:

Thursday: A chance of snow between 2pm and 4pm, then a chance of rain after 4pm. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 40. East southeast wind 5 to 10 mph increasing to 10 to 15 mph in the afternoon. Chance of precipitation is 40%.

Thursday Night: Rain and possibly a thunderstorm. Low around 34. East northeast wind 10 to 15 mph. Chance of precipitation is 80%. New rainfall amounts between a half and three quarters of an inch possible.

Friday: Rain and possibly a thunderstorm. High near 42. Breezy, with a northeast wind 10 to 20 mph, with gusts as high as 30 mph. Chance of precipitation is 100%. New rainfall amounts between a quarter and half of an inch possible.

Friday Night: Snow, possibly mixed with rain, becoming all snow after 11pm. The snow could be heavy at times. Some thunder is also possible. Widespread blowing snow, mainly between midnight and 5am. Low around 22. Windy, with a northeast wind 25 to 30 mph, with gusts as high as 45 mph. Chance of precipitation is 90%. New snow accumulation of 3 to 7 inches possible.

Saturday: A 30 percent chance of snow before 8am. Areas of blowing snow before 10am. Mostly cloudy through mid morning, then gradual clearing, with a high near 36. Breezy, with a north northwest wind 15 to 25 mph decreasing to 5 to 15 mph in the afternoon. Winds could gust as high as 35 mph.

Saturday Night: Increasing clouds, with a low around 24. West southwest wind 5 to 15 mph becoming south southeast after midnight.

Sunday: Partly sunny, with a high near 50. Breezy, with a south southeast wind 15 to 20 mph, with gusts as high as 30 mph.

Sunday Night: Partly cloudy, with a low around 32. West southwest wind 10 to 15 mph.

Monday: A 20 percent chance of rain after 2pm. Partly sunny, with a high near 47. West southwest wind around 10 mph becoming north northwest in the afternoon.

Monday Night: A chance of rain before 4am, then a chance of rain and snow. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 33. North wind around 10 mph. Chance of precipitation is 30%.

Tuesday: Rain and snow. High near 43. Breezy, with an east northeast wind 15 to 20 mph, with gusts as high as 30 mph. Chance of precipitation is 80%.

Tuesday Night: Rain. Low around 34. Breezy, with an east northeast wind around 20 mph, with gusts as high as 30 mph. Chance of precipitation is 80%.

Wednesday: Rain and snow likely. Partly sunny, with a high near 45. Breezy, with an east northeast wind 20 to 25 mph becoming west southwest in the afternoon. Winds could gust as high as 35 mph. Chance of precipitation is 60%.