Full Notification

...ACCUMULATING SNOW AND STRONG WINDS EXPECTED TO BRING BLIZZARD CONDITIONS TO PORTIONS OF WESTERN, CENTRAL, AND SOUTHERN MINNESOTA LATE THIS MORNING THROUGH MONDAY MORNING... .A developing winter storm over the Central Plains this morning will become much stronger as it moves into the Great Lakes through Monday morning. Snow will develop over western Minnesota near sunrise, with a rain/snow mix developing farther east. The rain/snow mix across eastern Minnesota and Wisconsin will quickly turn to snow later this morning as temperatures drop during the daylight hours. Steady snow will continue through early Monday morning. Accumulations of 6 to 10 inches are forecast across eastern Minnesota and western Wisconsin, with amounts tapering off to a few inches across far western Minnesota. In addition, strong northwest winds gusting to 45 to 55 mph are expected by this evening, leading to blizzard conditions in open areas of central and southern Minnesota through early Monday morning. A Blizzard Warning is in effect in a corridor from Morris and Long Prairie, south to Granite Falls and the far southwestern Twin Cities metro, to the Mankato and Albert Lea areas. A Winter Storm Warning is in effect for the rest of eastern Minnesota and western Wisconsin.

* WHAT...Blizzard conditions expected. Total snow accumulations between 5 and 9 inches. Winds gusting as high as 45 mph.

* WHERE...Sibley, Carver, Scott, Blue Earth, Brown, Faribault, Freeborn, Le Sueur, Martin, Nicollet, Rice, Steele, Waseca, and Watonwan Counties.

* WHEN...From 9 AM this morning to 9 AM CST Monday.

* IMPACTS...Whiteout conditions are expected and will make travel treacherous and potentially life-threatening. Travel could be very difficult. Widespread blowing snow could significantly reduce visibility. The hazardous conditions will impact the Monday morning commute. Gusty winds could bring down tree branches.

* AFFECTED AREAS: SIBLEY ... CARVER ... SCOTT ... BROWN ... NICOLLET ... LE SUEUR ... RICE ... WATONWAN ... BLUE EARTH ... WASECA ... STEELE ... MARTIN ... FARIBAULT ... FREEBORN

Instructions:

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.