St. Cloud, Minnesota – Roads across central and western Minnesota could quickly glaze over Friday afternoon as freezing rain develops, creating slick travel during the evening commute and lingering hazards into Saturday morning.
According to the National Weather Service in Chanhassen, a Winter Weather Advisory is in effect from noon Friday to 9 a.m. Saturday for western Minnesota, including Alexandria, Morris, Benson, Granite Falls, Madison, Glenwood, and Montevideo. A second advisory begins at 3 p.m. Friday for central and southern Minnesota, including St. Cloud, Willmar, Hutchinson, Princeton, and Fairmont, lasting through the same Saturday morning expiration.
Rain during the day Friday will transition to freezing rain by mid-afternoon, coating roads, sidewalks, and parking lots with around 0.1 inches of ice. That thin layer is enough to create hazardous conditions, especially on bridges and overpasses along highways such as I-94 near Alexandria and St. Cloud and U.S. Highway 12 near Willmar.
As temperatures fall overnight, precipitation will gradually change to snow. Up to 2 inches of snow is expected in most advisory areas, while some western counties could see as much as 3 inches combined with sleet and ice.
Transportation officials urge drivers to slow down, increase following distance, and check 511mn.org for real-time road conditions. Sidewalks and stairways may also become dangerously slick.
Icy travel could persist into the Saturday morning commute, with additional advisories possible if freezing rain lingers longer than expected.
