Weather Alert in Minnesota
Winter Storm Warning issued March 14 at 6:12AM CDT until March 15 at 10:00AM CDT by NWS Twin Cities/Chanhassen MN
AREAS AFFECTED: Sibley; Redwood; Brown; Nicollet; Le Sueur; Rice; Watonwan; Blue Earth; Waseca; Steele
DESCRIPTION: ...POWERFUL WINTER STORM ON TRACK TO BRING EXTREME SNOW ACCUMULATIONS AND STRONG WINDS... ...A WINTRY MIX OF RAIN, FREEZING RAIN, AND SLEET LATE TONIGHT ACROSS SOUTHERN MINNESOTA... ...TRAVEL MAY BECOME IMPOSSIBLE LATE TONIGHT AND SUNDAY... .A major winter storm will move across the Upper Midwest starting late this afternoon and lasting through Sunday evening. The first concern is heavy snow with a broad area of 12 to 18 inches expected across central Minnesota and western Wisconsin. A narrow swath within the broader area may approach 2 feet in parts of far east central Minnesota and west central Wisconsin. Rates of 2 to 2.5 inches per hour are likely late tonight. A wintry mix of rain, freezing rain, and sleet is now expected to work north into southern Minnesota tonight. A half inch of sleet and a tenth of an inch of ice are expected from New Ulm to Red Wing and south. The wintry mix will turn to all snow Sunday morning. The second concern is increasing winds on Sunday. Even though the snow will be tapering off gradually throughout Sunday, northwest winds will increase to 30 to 40 mph. Some gusts of 50 to 55 mph are possible. The combination of falling snow, blowing snow, and gusty winds will reduce visibility and create blizzard conditions late Sunday morning through Sunday evening across western and southern Minnesota. Travel is expected to become very difficult or impossible late tonight through Sunday evening. In addition, the amount of water in the snowpack will make it very heavy, leading to the potential for infrastructure damage and a health hazard for those shoveling. * WHAT...For the Winter Storm Warning, heavy mixed precipitation expected. Total snow accumulations between 2 and 6 inches, sleet accumulations around one half of an inch, and ice accumulations around one tenth of an inch. Winds gusting as high as 40 mph. For the Blizzard Warning, blizzard conditions expected. Additional snow accumulations between 3 and 5 inches. Winds gusting as high as 50 mph. * WHERE...Sibley, Blue Earth, Brown, Le Sueur, Nicollet, Rice, Steele, Waseca, Watonwan, and Redwood Counties. * WHEN...For the Winter Storm Warning, from 7 PM this evening to 10 AM CDT Sunday. For the Blizzard Warning, from 10 AM Sunday to 4 AM CDT Monday. * IMPACTS...Travel could be very difficult. Widespread blowing snow could significantly reduce visibility. Gusty winds could bring down tree branches. Whiteout conditions are expected and will make travel treacherous and potentially life-threatening.
INSTRUCTION: Travel should be restricted to emergencies only. If you must travel, have a winter survival kit with you. If you get stranded, stay with your vehicle. Call 5 1 1 or visit 511mn.org for road conditions. Prepare now for potential road closures. Delay travel and shelter in place once conditions worsen. Remember, if interstate highways are closed, state highways and county roads are also impassable.
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Weather Topic: What are Altocumulus Clouds?
Home - Education - Cloud Types - Altocumulus Clouds
Next Topic: Altostratus Clouds
Similar to cirrocumulus clouds, altocumulus clouds are
characterized by cloud patches. They are distinguished by larger cloudlets
than cirrocumulus clouds but are still smaller than stratocumulus clouds.
Altocumulus clouds most commonly form in middle altitudes (between 2 and 5 km)
and may resemble, at times, the shape of a flying saucer.
These uncommon formations, called altocumulus lenticularis, are created by uplift
in the atmosphere and are most often seen in close proximity to mountains.
Next Topic: Altostratus Clouds
Weather Topic: What are Cirrocumulus Clouds?
Home - Education - Cloud Types - Cirrocumulus Clouds
Next Topic: Cirrostratus Clouds
Cirrocumulus clouds form at high altitudes (usually around 5 km)
and have distinguishing characteristics displayed in a fine layer of
small cloud patches. These small cloud patches are sometimes referred to as
"cloudlets" in relation to the whole cloud formation.
Cirrocumulus clouds are formed from ice crystals and water droplets. Often, the
water droplets in the cloud freeze into ice crystals and the cloud becomes a
cirrostratus cloud. Because of this common occurrence, cirrocumulus cloud
formations generally pass rapidly.
Next Topic: Cirrostratus Clouds
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