Ice Storm Warning Issued For The North Shore

MINNEAPOLIS (WCCO) – Communities along Minnesota's north shore are advised to brace for power outages and downed trees as an ice storm is expected to freeze the state's Arrowhead region overnight and into Wednesday.

The National Weather Service has issued an Ice Storm Warning for the Arrowhead that's slated to go into effect at 8 p.m. and last until Wednesday night. Meanwhile, a Winter Storm Watch is also in effect for the Arrowhead and parts of the Iron Range.

#WinterStorm brings mix of #rain, #freezingrain, #sleet, & #snow tonite thru Thursday. Significant icing possible. pic.twitter.com/9gy8nUGpQl

— NWS Duluth (@NWSduluth) April 25, 2017

Forecasters say the rain surging up from the Great Plains will collide with cold air in northern Minnesota, prompting a wintry mix to fall Tuesday night. The eastern Arrowhead region, including communities near Grand Portage and Grand Marais, are looking to see an ice storm.

North shore communities could see anywhere from a quarter of an inch to three quarters of an inch of ice, the National Weather Service says. When combined with strong winds, the ice could bring down trees and cause power outages.

Roads could also be slippery, particularly bridges. Weather officials advise motorists to be prepared for difficult travel Tuesday night and into Wednesday.

The storm is expected to move out of the region Wednesday evening, but temperatures will remain cool. There are no highs in the 60s in the immediate forecast. Indeed, more rain (and possible snow) is expected Sunday.