NWS warns of slushy Tuesday commute
A slushy, wintry mix is already creating slick spots across southern Minnesota and brushing the southern Twin Cities — MnDOT says crews are monitoring roads overnight and into Tuesday morning with light slush and isolated crashes reported in spots from Norwood Young America to Olivia and the Jordan–Lakeville–Hastings area. The system will shift east by midday but will return as a more substantial storm Tuesday evening into Wednesday (NWS winter storm warnings for parts of the metro and north‑central Minnesota), bringing 1–4 inches in the Twin Cities (higher north), heavy snow rates at times, strong NW gusts to 45–50+ mph and hazardous travel — NWS advises avoiding nonessential travel late Tuesday night into Wednesday morning.
📌 Key Facts
- The NWS has issued a Winter Storm Warning for areas north of I‑94 (including parts of the north metro) from 9 p.m. Tuesday to 9 a.m. Wednesday; a Winter Weather Advisory is in effect along and just south of I‑94, and southern Minnesota is under a Winter Storm Watch.
- Forecast accumulations vary by location: the Twin Cities metro is now projected for about 1–4 inches, areas north of I‑94 are expected to see roughly 4–7 inches, and southern Minnesota (under the watch) could receive higher totals with strong winds and possible ground‑blizzard conditions.
- Timing: flurries/spotty snow arrive late morning from western Minnesota; the main snow/wintry mix comes noon–6 p.m. Tuesday (about 1–3 inches), transitions to a rainy/wintry mix 6 p.m.–midnight (~1 inch), then a gusty wrap‑up midnight–9 a.m. Wednesday (~1 inch).
- Strong winds are expected — SW 20–40 mph becoming NW after 6 p.m., with gusts approaching or exceeding 45–50 mph late Tuesday night into Wednesday morning, increasing blowing‑snow and ground‑blizzard risk in southern Minnesota.
- MnDOT reports mixed road conditions (snow, slush, ice, frost) and a few crashes in the metro and greater Minnesota early Tuesday; crews will stay ready and monitor roads overnight and into Tuesday morning, though full plowing may not yet be needed in all areas.
- The evening Tuesday commute is likely to be messy as precipitation type and the rain–snow line fluctuate; temperatures are expected to peak near 34°F around 9 p.m., which will influence where rain versus snow falls.
- NWS advises avoiding nonessential travel Tuesday night through Wednesday morning; the recommended travel windows are Tuesday morning or Wednesday afternoon when conditions should be more favorable.
📰 Sources (7)
LIVE UPDATES | Minnesota weather: Light snow leaves slick roads ahead of winter storm
New information:
- As of 7 a.m., MnDOT reports mixed road conditions (snow/slush/ice/frost) with a few crashes in the metro and greater Minnesota.
- Refined timeline: snow to wintry mix arrives noon–6 p.m. Tuesday (1–3"), rainy mix to snow 6 p.m.–midnight (~1"), lingering snow/gusts to 45+ mph midnight–9 a.m. Wednesday (~1").
- Twin Cities accumulation now pegged at 1–4"; winter storm warning area north of I-94 forecast 4–7"; winter weather advisory along/just south of I-94; southern Minnesota under winter storm watch with high winds and possible ground blizzard.
- Temperatures expected to peak near 34°F around 9 p.m. Tuesday with rain/snow line fluctuations; evening commute likely messy with worsening conditions into Tuesday night.
Minnesota weather: What to expect with Tuesday's winter storm
New information:
- Updated metro snowfall forecast: Twin Cities now projected at 1–4 inches (previous guidance cited higher local totals).
- Winter Storm Warning specified for areas north of I-94; Winter Weather Advisory along and just south of I-94; southern MN under a Winter Storm Watch.
- Detailed timeline: quiet/misty morning; noon–6 p.m. snow to wintry mix with 1–3 inches, 6 p.m.–midnight rainy mix to snow (~1 inch), midnight–9 a.m. gusty wrap‑up (~1 inch).
- Wind gusts could exceed 45 mph late Tuesday night into Wednesday morning, raising blowing snow/ground blizzard concerns in southern MN.
- Evening commute flagged as 'messy' due to mix and changing precipitation types.
MN weather: Tracking snow, freezing rain on Tuesday
New information:
- Forecast details a SW wind 20–40 mph turning NW after 6 p.m. with gusts approaching 50 mph.
- Precipitation split: potential burst of heavy snow north of the metro; rain/freezing rain/wintry mix in and west–southwest of the metro.
- Geography of alerts: majority of Minnesota in a Winter Weather Advisory; north metro into north‑central Minnesota in a Winter Storm Warning.
- Timeline specifics: flurries arrive late morning from western Minnesota; snow tapers late Tuesday with spotty overnight flurries.
Winter storm warning goes into effect for Twin Cities late Tuesday
New information:
- NWS Twin Cities has now issued a Winter Storm Warning for the Twin Cities from 9 p.m. Tuesday to 9 a.m. Wednesday.
- Forecast snowfall for the metro increased to 4–8 inches, with heavy rates near 1 inch/hour possible.
- NWS advises avoiding non‑essential travel Tuesday night through Wednesday morning; best windows are Tuesday morning or Wednesday afternoon.
Road conditions: Rainy mix could create some slick spots in southern MN
New information:
- As of 5:45 a.m., MnDOT reported light slush, damp pavement and slick spots east of Norwood Young America, south of Hutchinson, and near Olivia.
- Precipitation reached as far north as Jordan–Lakeville–Hastings, brushing the southern Twin Cities metro; no crashes reported so far.
- System expected to shift east by mid to late morning, leaving a mostly dry remainder of the day.
Minnesota weather: Winter weather advisory, slushy start Tuesday morning
New information:
- MnDOT says crews will stay ready and monitor roads overnight and into Tuesday morning, though full plowing is likely not needed yet.
- Forecast pinpoints a west–east band most likely for accumulation from Marshall/Redwood Falls toward Mankato, Faribault and Rochester.