New Forecast Calls for Higher Snow Totals, Intense Snowfall in Minnesota
Rochester, MN (KROC-AM News)- A new forecast is now calling for periods of intense snowfall and increased accumulation predictions in southeast Minnesota.
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The National Weather Service issued a Winter Weather Advisory for the Rochester area early Friday morning. It begins at 2 p.m. Friday and is set to expire at 6 a.m. Saturday.
Forecasters say there will be two windows of time Friday and Saturday during which travel will be difficult.
Southeastern Minnesota has been snow-starved this Winter. January was a record low for snowfall in Rochester.
0.4 inches of snow recorded last month at the Rochester airport topped the previous record of 0.8 inches, which was set in 2006, according to the National Weather Service.
Last week, a system that drew a Winter Storm Watch ended up being downgraded to a Winter Weather Advisory that left less than two inches across southeast Minnesota.
Two-Wave Snow Storm Could Bring a Half-Foot of Snow to Southeast Minnesota
The latest prediction, issued Friday morning by the National Weather Service, calls for two waves of intense snowfall.
Forecasters are predicting the combination of 25-35 mph winds and snowfall rates as heavy as one inch per hour will make travel difficult Friday afternoon and evening.
3-6 inches of snow are forecasted to fall across the region, with heavier accumulations as high as 7 inches possible along the Mississippi River valley and into western Wisconsin through Friday night.
After a brief overnight reprieve, another wave is predicted to move across southeast Minnesota on Saturday.
As of Friday morning, forecasters do not expect Saturday morning’s wave to be as intense. An additional 1-2 inches are predicted across southeast Minnesota.
Despite the lighter prediction, weather officials warn that travel conditions could still be slick on Saturday morning before the storm system leaves the area.
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Gallery Credit: Laura Hardy
