NEXT Weather Factors
- Snow tapers off early Friday
- Next round of snow arrives midday Saturday
- Heavier snowfall with this clipper system
MINNEAPOLIS – After more snowfall in the overnight, Friday should be a nice, calm day. But a clipper system is headed our way, bringing even heavier snow this weekend.
MORE: School closings & delays | Live radars | Winter emergency kit for vehicles
The National Weather Service is sticking with the Winter Weather Advisory in the Twin Cities, and a Winter Storm Warning is still in effect in southeastern Minnesota, where the heaviest snow has fallen. Reports show that 5 inches stacked up there Thursday, cutting down visibility and sticking to the roadways.
Snowfall began to lighten up overnight Friday, but it was a slow morning commute for many.
Temperatures will rise above freezing again by midday, which should allow much of this fresh snow to melt away. Temps will also be in the mid-30s this weekend, but the winds will start to pick up from the east-southeast Saturday.
The next storm system will pack some good moisture, which will reach the metro by lunchtime Saturday. The heaviest bands of snow will fall in the evening, and the system will clear out of the metro by Sunday afternoon.
WCCO meteorologist Riley O'Connor says to expect about 3 to 6 inches of snow in the metro by Sunday, with potentially more expected in the north.
A pretty quiet week will follow, with temps rising above freezing, helping to slowly melt away a lot of the snow we've been accumulating. Chances for further precipitation move in by Wednesday and Thursday.
It's official, we're now the 11th snowiest winter on record
The National Weather Service says we're now just on the doorstep of being one of the top 10 snowiest winters on record in the Twin Cities.
This being early March, you can bet that we'll cross that threshold before too long.
Minnesota State Patrol: 96 crashes overnight
Wisconsin trooper struck while investigating I-94 crash
A Wisconsin State Patrol trooper was struck and injured in a crash along Interstate 94 overnight.
According to the patrol, the crash happened at about 10 p.m. near the Township of Lucas. A trooper who was investigating a separate crash on the highway was struck by a passing vehicle.
Investigators noted that the roads were snow-covered and slippery, but used the incident to highlight the importance for drivers to reduce their speeds during inclement weather.
[Click here to read more.]
NEXT Drive Alert: Number of crashes reported
Friday morning brings with it a NEXT Drive Alert, as by 5:30 a.m., we've seen a number of crashes and spinouts across the Twin Cities metro area.
WCCO's Pauleen Le reports a crash that occurred along Interstate 94 near Hiawatha Avenue involving five vehicles but, thankfully, no serious injuries.
Many Minnesotans can't get enough of this winter's endless snow
We haven't done any formal polling, but there may be as many Minnesotans who love this snowy winter as there are who want spring to get here already.
At Afton Alps on Thursday, count most of the people as the former.
"This is exactly what we want to do is give the kids an experience they don't oftentimes get," said Krista Mrozinski, a parent chaperoning a St. Paul school field trip.
Justin Folger, Afton Alps' senior manager of resort operations, says March is home to some of their most popular weekends, including visitors from out-of-state.
"It's been awesome," said Jen Boyle from Mahtomedi. "We're heading to Mexico on Saturday, so we wanted to get in some powder runs before we left."
It was her 3-year-old daughter Claire's second time ever skiing.
"Her brother and sister do alpine team, so we hope to have another future alpine," Boyle said.
With weather like this, there'll be plenty more time to get some practice in.
Michael Nguyen from Woodbury shrugged it off as he strapped on his snowboard.
"It's Minnesota. We'll have winter until May, maybe," Nguyen said.
With over 70 inches of snow this winter, some are ready for spring
Believe it or not, we are already in the top 12 snowiest winters on record in the Twin Cities, and we're not done yet.
To break into the top 10, we need three more inches -- which we should get this weekend.
"It's been surprisingly snowy this year," said Ian Smith of Minneapolis
"This winter might be the most winterous winter we've ever had, because ain't no way," said Kyarah Bolin of Minneapolis. "Christmas been over, it's finna be spring and it's still winter."
There have been 75.3 inches of snow this season -- and people are feeling it.
"It's pretty, but we need this to go," said Bolin.
[Click here to read the full story.]
What exactly is a forecast model?
We know our weather can be unpredictable, no matter the season. That's why meteorologists rely on different forecast models to help us prepare.
But what exactly is a forecast model? Good Question. Kirsten Mitchell learned that understanding them is not an exact science.
A model is essentially an equation that helps meteorologists predict our weather, according to National Weather Service Meteorologist Eric Ahasic.
"We actually use some of the most powerful computers in the world to just take the variables for temperature, pressure, wind speed, humidity, precipitation, all these different variables, plug them in those equations and use the computing power to solve them," Ahasic said.
[Click here to read the full story.]
"Probably the worst it's been in a generation": Potholes plaguing St. Paul roads
If you've noticed more potholes than normal lately, you're not alone.
For some, it's adding more misery to an already miserable winter season.
"I've been over it since like, December man, honestly," said Trey Brandenburg of St. Paul. "I've needed new shocks just because these potholes are just ruining my suspension. I frequently have to fill my tires, that sort of thing. So yeah, it's just frustrating. I don't wanna have to pay for a new suspension just cause the city doesn't want to take care of its stuff."
Just outside of Brandenburg's home, we spotted cars trying to navigate no less than a dozen potholes of various shapes and sizes.
"When you've got beautiful homes around here like this, I don't know, it's kinda doing the neighborhood a disservice," he said.
Even Minnesota lawmakers are starting to notice the issue. State Rep. Mary Franson tweeted about her experience in St. Paul Wednesday. Franson says she was riding with Rep. Dawn Gillman after dinner when a pothole claimed one of Gillman's tires.
Click here to report a pothole in Minneapolis, and click here to report them in St. Paul.
[Click here to read the full story.]
Latest school closings & delays
Multiple schools have issued closings, delays or e-learning days for Friday, click here.
Brooklyn Center, Elk River declare snow events
Brooklyn Center officials announced a snow event with parking restrictions beginning at 9 p.m. Thursday.
"Plowing will begin at 4 am on Friday, March 10, 2023. Please pull your trashcans into your driveway to avoid the plows when they come through your neighborhood," the announcement said.
Elk River declared a snow event that means overnight parking restrictions will go into effect from 2 a.m. to 6 a.m. Friday.
100 days of at least 1 inch of snow (Twin Cities)
NOAA: Delayed melt, more rain could mean "major" spring flooding along Mississippi River
National weather officials say flooding along the Mississippi River this spring could be the worst seen since 2001.
The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration on Thursday released an updated spring flooding outlook, including for mainstem Mississippi River from the Twin Cities down to Keokuk, Iowa.
According to the NOAA, the flood potential for this segment of the river is "well above normal" and flood risk numbers indicate flooding could rival what was seen in the spring of 2019.
"If the melt is delayed and significant rainfall is added, we could see the worst flooding in over 20 years," the outlook said.
Icy St. Paul residential streets
St. Paul to start single-side street parking on Friday
Spring flooding risk expected to increase as more snow falls, higher temps near
More than six feet of snow has already fallen this winter and all that water has got to go somewhere when we thaw.
On Wednesday, NEXT Weather Meteorologist Joseph Dames explained what that means for our risk of spring flooding.
