Weather Alert in Minnesota
Blizzard Warning issued March 14 at 6:12AM CDT until March 16 at 4:00AM 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 Shelf Clouds?
Home - Education - Cloud Types - Shelf Clouds
Next Topic: Sleet
A shelf cloud is similar to a wall cloud, but forms at the front
of a storm cloud, instead of at the rear, where wall clouds form.
A shelf cloud is caused by a series of events set into motion by the advancing
storm; first, cool air settles along the ground where precipitation has just fallen.
As the cool air is brought in, the warmer air is displaced, and rises above it,
because it is less dense. When the warmer air reaches the bottom of the storm cloud,
it begins to cool again, and the resulting condensation is a visible shelf cloud.
Next Topic: Sleet
Weather Topic: What is Snow?
Home - Education - Precipitation - Snow
Next Topic: Stratocumulus Clouds
Snow is precipitation taking the form of ice crystals. Each ice crystal, or snowflake,
has unique characteristics, but all of them grow in a hexagonal structure.
Snowfall can last for sustained periods of time and result in significant buildup
of snow on the ground.
On the earth's surface, snow starts out light and powdery, but as it begins to melt
it tends to become more granular, producing small bits of ice which have the consistency of
sand. After several cycles of melting and freezing, snow can become very dense
and ice-like, commonly known as snow pack.
Next Topic: Stratocumulus Clouds
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