Weather Alert in Minnesota
Winter Storm Watch issued March 12 at 9:51PM CDT until March 16 at 7:00AM CDT by NWS Twin Cities/Chanhassen MN
AREAS AFFECTED: Stevens; Pope; Stearns; Swift; Chippewa; Kandiyohi; Meeker; Wright; Renville; McLeod
DESCRIPTION: ...WINTER WEATHER ADVISORY IN EFFECT FROM 10 PM THIS EVENING TO 7 AM CDT FRIDAY... ...MAJOR WINTER STORM TO BRING HEAVY SNOW ACCUMULATIONS, GUSTY WINDS,AND SIGNIFICANT TRAVEL IMPACTS THIS WEEKEND... .Two rounds of wintry weather will occur over the next several days. Tonight into Friday morning will feature very strong winds and occasional snow across parts of central Minnesota and western Wisconsin. Blowing snow could significantly reduce visibility, especially across the open areas of central Minnesota. A major winter storm will move across the Upper Midwest Saturday into Sunday. Model guidance continues to illustrate a remarkable precipitation footprint across the region which will yield heavy snow accumulations on the order of 6-10" across the Watch area. Localized totals across portions of southeastern MN and western WI will likely exceed 12". The combination of heavy snow and gusty winds will reduce visibility and create periods of blizzard conditions on Sunday. Very hazardous travel conditions will develop as a result. * WHAT...For the Winter Weather Advisory, blowing snow expected. Additional snow accumulations up to one inch. Winds gusting as high as 65 mph. For the Winter Storm Watch, heavy snow likely. Total snow accumulations in excess of 6" likely, with localized amounts exceeding 12" across southern MN. Winds could gust as high as 45 mph. * WHERE...Kandiyohi, McLeod, Meeker, Renville, Stearns, Wright, Chippewa, Pope, Stevens, and Swift Counties. * WHEN...For the Winter Weather Advisory, until 7 AM CDT Friday. For the Winter Storm Watch, from Saturday evening through Monday morning. * IMPACTS...Travel could be very difficult to impossible. Widespread blowing snow could significantly reduce visibility. The hazardous conditions will impact the Friday morning and evening commutes. Very strong winds could cause extensive damage to trees and power lines.
INSTRUCTION: Slow down and use caution while traveling. Call 5 1 1 or visit 511mn.org for road conditions. Monitor the latest forecasts for updates on this situation.
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Weather Topic: What are Cumulonimbus Clouds?
Home - Education - Cloud Types - Cumulonimbus Clouds
Next Topic: Cumulus Clouds
The final form taken by a growing cumulus cloud is the
cumulonimbus cloud, which is very tall and dense.
The tower of a cumulonimbus cloud can soar 23 km into the atmosphere, although
most commonly they stop growing at an altitude of 6 km.
Even small cumulonimbus clouds appear very large in comparison to other cloud types.
They can signal the approach of stormy weather, such as thunderstorms or blizzards.
Next Topic: Cumulus Clouds
Weather Topic: What is Drizzle?
Home - Education - Precipitation - Drizzle
Next Topic: Evaporation
Drizzle is precipitation in the form of water droplets which are
smaller than raindrops.
Drizzle is characterized by fine, gently falling droplets and typically does not
impact human habitation in a negative way. The exception to this is freezing drizzle,
a condition where drizzle freezes immediately upon reaching earth's surface.
Freezing drizzle is still less dangerous than freezing rain, but can
potentially result in hazardous road conditions.
Next Topic: Evaporation
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