Friday, February 23, 2007

Winter Storm Warning
Statement Issued: 4:07 am CST on February 23, 2007

... Winter Storm Warning in effect from 6 PM this evening to 6 PM CST Sunday...

The National Weather Service in Twin Cities/Chanhassen has issued a Winter Storm Warning... which is in effect from 6 PM this evening to 6 PM CST Sunday. The Winter Storm Watch is no longer in effect.

An intense storm system... moving into the western rockies this morning... will deepen and eject into the upper Midwest this weekend... bringing two rounds of dangerous winter weather to the
region... resulting in significant snowfall accumulations...possible icing... and blowing and drifting snow.

The first round of precipitation will begin this evening and last through Saturday morning as the storm system moves into the Central Plains states. Areas to the south of a line from Appleton to Litchfield to Red Wing could see a mix of freezing rain and snow... with areas in the Minnesota River Valley seeing the highest likelihood of ice accumulations. Snowfall accumulations could
reach the 3 to 5 inch range... with a maximum of a couple of tenths of ice accumulation possible as well.

The second round of precipitation will commence during the late afternoon hours on Saturday and last through Sunday... as the storm system moves through the mid Mississippi Valley and into the Great Lakes. All areas should see snow... with no mixed precipitation expected after early afternoon Saturday. The heaviest snow should occur Saturday night... with an additional 6 to 10 inches of accumulation possible... especially in the Interstate 35 corridor.

The snow should begin to taper during the Sunday afternoon hours... but blowing and drifting snow may continue past this time.

Storm total accumulations should range from 9 to 12 inches in most locations... with as much as 15 to 18 inches possible along the Interstate 35 corridor and the Saint Croix River Valley.

A Winter Storm Warning means significant amounts of snow... sleet... and ice are expected or occurring. Strong winds are also possible. This will make travel very hazardous or impossible.

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