First Alert Weather: Severe Storms Today, Heavy Snow Tonight

ROCHESTER, Minn. (KTTC) – A large and dynamic storm system is moving through the region today, generating showers and thunderstorms in the area with the possibility of locally heavy snowfall developing tonight. Expect occasional showers and a few thunderstorms through the midday hours before a more widespread cluster of intense thunderstorms develops in the early to mid-afternoon. The strongest activity will likely be in north Iowa, especially east of Mason City. Strong storms will also be possible in southern Minnesota south of Interstate 90, though Rochester won’t be completely exempt from the risk of a few strong storms around the evening commute. The most likely time frame for the severe weather outbreak will be from 2 PM to 7 PM. Right now, the greatest threat will be damaging winds, but a few tornadoes will be possible as well as hail with a diameter of one inch or larger. High temperatures will be in the upper 40s to around 50 degrees in southern Minnesota while North Iowa will experience highs in the low to mid-60s as that part of the local area will be south of the warm front associated with this storm system.

Rain will transition to snow late in the evening, especially after 11 PM. Light to moderate snowfall will develop across the area in the overnight hours. Because of the early spring atmospheric dynamics with this storm system, thundersnow will be possible, especially on the Minnesota side of the border, potentially creating some intense snowfall rates. As a result, the range in snowfall totals will be rather broad. As it stands now, locations along and north of Interstate 90 will measure two to five inches of snowfall, and a few spots north of Rochester, including the Twin Cities, will end up with as much as eight or nine inches. Areas south of the interstate highway will measure one to four inches. Strong, gusty north winds will likely cause some blowing snow, creating poor visibility and slick patches on roads and highways. Gusts will reach 40 miles per hour until mid-morning Saturday. Overnight low temperatures will be in the mid-20s with wind chills in the single digits and teens.

Snowfall from this storm system will wrap up just before sunrise Saturday and cloud cover will clear off fairly quickly. Expect mostly sunny skies throughout the day with temperatures climbing to the mid-30s in the afternoon. North winds will be strong at first, causing some blowing snow, but those winds will quickly drop off in the early afternoon. South winds will become a bit strong on Sunday, delivering much warmer air to the area. We’ll enjoy quite a bit of sunshine during the day and high temperatures will be in the mid-50s.

Highs next week will be in the seasonably mild 40s and 50s with some rain likely on Tuesday followed by rain and some light snow showers on Wednesday. Expect some strong, gusty winds in the middle part of the upcoming week around that midweek storm system. High temperatures will be in the low 50s for Easter weekend with spotty showers on Saturday and then mostly sunny skies on Easter Sunday.

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