With a winter storm watch officially in effect for Friday, the National Weather Service has revised its forecast to predict fewer inches of snow for the Brainerd area.
The projected path of the storm late Wednesday indicated areas to the west and north of Crow Wing County would see the heaviest snowfall, with 8 to 12 inches predicted. Most of Crow Wing County was expected to see 3 to 5 inches, although the northwestern corner of the county could see more.
The NWS in Duluth warned it's still early to accurately predict the storm, expected to drop the state's first snowfall of the impending winter season.
"The storm is still 36-48 hours out, and we are still uncertain where the heaviest snow will fall and the timing of the worst conditions," the NWS website warned.
Along with forecasted snow, the NWS predicted gusty northerly winds and possible hazardous travel conditions, with rain changing to snow from the northwest to the southeast late Thursday into Friday.
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After entering the day Friday with a 90 percent chance of snow, Friday evening finishes with a 30 percent chance with wind gusts as high as 30 mph. Saturday's forecast calls for mostly sunny skies with a high temperature near 29 degrees and a low at about 17 degrees. Sunday's temperatures are also expected to stay below freezing.
Looking further ahead, the current forecast indicates a slight chance of rain or snow Tuesday as well.
