Weather Alert in Minnesota
Winter Storm Warning issued March 14 at 6:12AM CDT until March 16 at 4:00AM CDT by NWS Twin Cities/Chanhassen MN
AREAS AFFECTED: Stearns; Benton; Sherburne; Isanti; Chisago; Wright; Hennepin; Anoka; Ramsey; Washington; Carver; Scott; Dakota; Goodhue
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...Heavy snow and blowing snow expected. Total snow accumulations between 12 and 18 inches, with locally higher amounts possible near the Twin Cities metro. Some sleet may mix in across the far south metro late tonight. Winds gusting as high as 40 mph. * WHERE...Benton, Sherburne, Stearns, Wright, Anoka, Carver, Chisago, Dakota, Hennepin, Isanti, Ramsey, Scott, Washington, and Goodhue Counties. * WHEN...From 4 PM this afternoon to 4 AM CDT Monday. * IMPACTS...Travel could be very difficult to impossible. Widespread blowing snow could significantly reduce visibility. Gusty winds could bring down tree branches.
INSTRUCTION: If you must travel, keep an extra flashlight, food, and water in your vehicle in case of an emergency. Call 5 1 1 or visit 511mn.org for road conditions.
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Weather Topic: What are Contrails?
Home - Education - Cloud Types - Contrails
Next Topic: Cumulonimbus Clouds
A contrail is an artificial cloud, created by the passing of an
aircraft.
Contrails form because water vapor in the exhaust of aircraft engines is suspended
in the air under certain temperatures and humidity conditions. These contrails
are called exhaust contrails.
Another type of contrail can form due to a temporary reduction in air pressure
moving over the plane's surface, causing condensation.
These are called aerodynamic contrails.
When you can see your breath on a cold day, it is also because of condensation.
The reason contrails last longer than the condensation from your breath is
because the water in contrails freezes into ice particles.
Next Topic: Cumulonimbus Clouds
Weather Topic: What are Cumulus Clouds?
Home - Education - Cloud Types - Cumulus Clouds
Next Topic: Drizzle
Cumulus clouds are fluffy and textured with rounded tops, and
may have flat bottoms. The border of a cumulus cloud
is clearly defined, and can have the appearance of cotton or cauliflower.
Cumulus clouds form at low altitudes (rarely above 2 km) but can grow very tall,
becoming cumulus congestus and possibly the even taller cumulonimbus clouds.
When cumulus clouds become taller, they have a greater chance of producing precipitation.
Next Topic: Drizzle
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