Twin Cities Inches Close To New April Snow Record
MINNEAPOLIS (WCCO) -- The average amount of snow that the Twin Cities gets in April is 2.5 inches. That total isn't for the average storm in April, that's the average amount of snow that falls in the entire month.
At most recent measure, this April has already seen 20.4 inches of snow. The standing record is 21.8 inches, and by all indications there's still more to come.
The snowstorm that's still churning out white flakes in Minnesota this weekend is already the third-largest April snowstorm in the Twin Cities' recorded history, with 10.1 inches measured at the MSP Airport weather station as of 7 p.m.
The National Weather Service has issued a blizzard warning that covers much of the southern portion of the state, stretching as far east as the Twin Cities metro area, including Hennepin and Ramsey counties.
WCCO director of meteorology Mike Augustyniak said that the NWS confirmed this is the first time they've issued blizzard warnings in both Hennepin and Ramsey counties since the April 14, 1983 storm -- 35 years ago.
BREAKING: @NWSTwinCities tells me that this is the first time they have issued #blizzard warnings for both Hennepin and Ramsey Counties since (coincidentally) the April 14,1983 storm. Put another way -- this is the first blizzard warning for the Twin Cities in 35 years #mnwx
— Mike Augustyniak (@MikeAugustyniak) April 15, 2018
The warning extends through 7 a.m. Sunday, and visibility may drop below a quarter-mile for an extended period of time. Augustyniak says it's been at least six years since the last time this sort of blizzard warning has been issued for the Twin Cities.
That heavy snow should continue through the evening and overnight. Lighter snow is expected to fall on the area early Sunday, and intermittently through the day.
Metro residents should wake up Sunday morning with more than 10 inches of snow on the ground, with another 1-3 inches possible throughout the day Sunday.
Welp, this proves it for me. Our @WCCO weather watcher in Canby sent a photo of the 23+" snowfall he received (so far) today... and that's a legit measurement. #mnwx pic.twitter.com/9dZjpduvCB
— Mike Augustyniak (@MikeAugustyniak) April 15, 2018
Officials with the Minneapolis-St. Paul International Airport said that due to a lack of visibility and heavy snow, they have halted operations for incoming and outgoing flights until at least 9 p.m.
Highways and roads remain closed in much of southwestern Minnesota where authorities are advising no travel. You can check which highways are closed by clicking here.
Furthermore, this isn't even expected to be the final snowstorm of the season. Augustyniak is tracking a snow event expected to move into the area next Wednesday that should only add to our April snow woe.