BRAINERD — On the heels of the Monday, Feb. 20, clipper system that dropped a couple inches of snow comes a significant midweek winter storm.
It's a storm that could bring more than a foot of snow, blustery winds and cold temperatures to areas of central Minnesota.
The National Weather Service in Duluth issued a winter storm watch in effect Tuesday night through Thursday afternoon, with snow accumulations of 6-14 inches possible in the watch area, which includes southern Cass, Crow Wing and southern Aitkin counties.
Also in the winter storm watch are Mille Lacs, Morrison and Todd counties, where as much as 10-18 inches of snow is possible, the weather service office in Chanhassen reported.
In Wadena County, the winter storm watch also is in effect with 4-8 inches of snow possible along with wind gusts up to 40 mph, which could result in blizzard conditions, according to the National Weather Service in Grand Forks, North Dakota.
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While the snow is expected to be dry and fluffy, said Krystal Kossen, meteorologist with the National Weather Service in Duluth, strong winds with gusts 40-45 mph could create hazardous driving conditions throughout central and northeastern Minnesota.
“Blowing snow is the biggest hazard, with limited visibility, slick roads, that sort of thing,” Kossen said. Also a concern is wind chills as low as 25 degrees below zero, which can cause frostbite on exposed skin in less than 30 minutes.
The Brainerd area most likely will not be on the high end for snow total amounts, Kossen said. There’s a 92% chance the Brainerd lakes area will get at least 4 inches of snow and a 60% chance it will get 8 inches of snow or more.
“I’d start to put 8-10 inches as the top end for Brainerd,” Kossen said.
The clipper system moved out of the area Monday afternoon, with a few places, including near Pillager and Motley, receiving more than 3 inches of snow while other area reports showed 1-2 inches.
Snow on Tuesday is expected to be light as well, with 1-2 inches possible. The heaviest snowfall from the system is expected Wednesday night, with 2 inches per six hours possible, Kossen said.
“While that’s not heavy,” on average, Kossen said, “it could get heavy at times.”
Bad form to call in sick (of commuting) for Thursday? Work from home? Work from Sarasota?
— Paul Douglas (@pdouglasweather) February 20, 2023
NOAA predicting "Category 5" winter impacts for MSP metro: "extensive and widespread closures and disruptions". In other news the drought may be winding down...https://t.co/W7t0aSgDnD pic.twitter.com/A7iUWNheJX
The Brainerd area forecast from the weather service
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Tuesday: Snow, mainly after 1 p.m. High near 14 degrees. Northwest wind around 5 mph becoming east in the afternoon. Chance of precipitation is 80%. New snow accumulation of less than a half inch possible.
Tuesday night: Snow, mainly before midnight. Low around 4 degrees. Blustery, with a northeast wind 10 to 15 mph, with gusts as high as 25 mph. Chance of precipitation is 80%. New snow accumulation of less than one inch possible.
Wednesday: A 30% chance of snow after noon. Patchy blowing snow after 1 p.m. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 16 degrees. Windy, with a northeast wind 15 to 25 mph, with gusts as high as 35 mph.
Wednesday night: Snow. Widespread blowing snow, mainly after 2 a.m. Low around 1 degree. Windy, with a northeast wind around 25 mph, with gusts as high as 40 mph. Chance of precipitation is 80%. New snow accumulation of 4-8 inches possible.
Thursday: Snow. Widespread blowing snow, mainly before 8 a.m. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 7 degrees. Windy, with a north wind 15 to 25 mph, with gusts as high as 40 mph.
Thursday night: Mostly cloudy, with a low around 13 degrees below zero. Blustery, with a north wind 10 to 15 mph decreasing to 5 to 10 mph after midnight. Winds could gust as high as 20 mph.
Friday: Mostly sunny, with a high near 10 degrees. North wind 5 to 10 mph becoming south in the afternoon.
Friday night: Mostly cloudy, with a low around 1 degree below zero. Breezy, with a south wind 10 to 15 mph, with gusts as high as 20 mph.
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Saturday: Mostly sunny, with a high near 24 degrees. Breezy, with a west wind 10 to 15 mph, with gusts as high as 20 mph.
Saturday night: Partly cloudy, with a low around 5 degrees. Breezy, with a west wind 10 to 15 mph, with gusts as high as 20 mph.
Sunday: Sunny, with a high near 28 degrees. Breezy, with a west wind 10 to 15 mph, with gusts as high as 20 mph.
MATT ERICKSON, Editor, may be reached at matt.erickson@brainerddispatch.com or 218-855-5857.
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