Ice Storm May Threaten Holiday Travel Plans, Power Lines
MINNEAPOLIS (WCCO) -- Parts of Minnesota may have an electricity-free Christmas, thanks to Mother Nature.
The National Weather Service says we're in for an ice storm, which will move across central Minnesota and into the northern part of the state by Sunday night.
Freezing rain will start to fall Saturday night and continue into Sunday afternoon, with ice accumulation predicted to be as thick as a quarter inch in some areas.
The heavy ice and fierce winds -- with gusts as strong as 50 miles per hour -- could cause trees and tree limbs to fall on power lines.
WCCO Meteorologist Mike Augustyniak says the storm system is heading east from the Rocky Mountains, and will initially bring us a warm-up, followed by the ice, and then a cool down.
Freezing rain will turn to regular rain in the metro by Sunday afternoon, thanks to our high temperature of 40 degrees. You may even her some rumbling in the heavens. That's right -- we could have some Christmas thunder in the evening.
Northwestern Minnesota will be under a blizzard watch Sunday, with blowing snow expected in the evening and lasting until Monday morning. Expect accumulations between 3 and 10 inches.
For the latest, visit the WCCO Weather Center or download our weather app for your smartphone.