Winter Storm Watch Issued for Rochester and Surrounding Counties
Difficult dangerous travel conditions are expected this weekend. The weekend forecast calls for a mix of rain, freezing rain, and snow starting Saturday morning and continuing through Sunday afternoon. The National Weather Service has already issued a Winter Storm Watch for Olmsted, Wabasha, Dodge, Winona, Mower, and Fillmore counties in Southeast Minnesota. The NWS says : "Another winter storm is taking aim on the region for the weekend with the promise of snow to a wintry mix. Snow looks to move into southeast Minnesota early Saturday morning, spreading across north-central Wisconsin for the afternoon. It would then continue through the night, moving northeast early Sunday morning. A brief period of freezing precipitation is possible before the main area of snow moves in, and possibly as it exits.
Currently 4 to 8 inches of snow are expected, the bulk of which would fall during the afternoon and evening hours. If freezing precipitation is realized, a light glaze of ice would be possible. Wind could be a factor during the late night hours of Saturday into Sunday morning.
Travel will be impacted. Be prepared for slippery to hazardous driving conditions, especially for the afternoon and evening hours. In addition, with the snow expected to be heavy in nature,and considerable snow having already fallen in February, there could be roof failures."