Minneapolis, Minnesota – A spring storm moving across the Upper Midwest will bring rain, thunderstorms, and eventually a wintry mix and snow to parts of Minnesota late Friday into Saturday morning.
The National Weather Service in the Twin Cities says two main rounds of precipitation are expected through Saturday.
The first round occurred Friday morning, bringing widespread rain across southern and eastern Minnesota as well as parts of western Wisconsin.
A second round of precipitation is expected to redevelop later Friday afternoon and evening, with scattered showers and a few thunderstorms possible.
Forecasters say one or two storms could become strong, with the potential for large hail during the afternoon and evening hours.
As colder air moves into the region Friday night, the rain is expected to transition to a wintry mix and eventually snow, especially across western and central Minnesota.
Some areas in far western Minnesota could also see a light glaze of ice as temperatures quickly drop overnight.
By Saturday morning, snowfall totals of around 1 to 2 inches are possible, particularly across parts of central Minnesota including communities such as Alexandria, Willmar, Hutchinson, and St. Cloud.
The Twin Cities metro may see lighter accumulations or a mix of rain and snow, depending on how quickly temperatures fall overnight.
Because of the changing conditions, roads could become slick late Friday night into early Saturday morning, especially in areas that receive snow or freezing precipitation.
Drivers traveling overnight or early Saturday should allow extra time and watch for rapidly changing road conditions.
A Winter Weather Advisory remains in effect for portions of west-central Minnesota, where travel impacts are most likely.
Residents are encouraged to monitor the latest forecasts and road conditions as the storm system moves through the region.
