Good evening everyone! The snowstorm that impacted portions of the region is on the downward trend this evening with only scattered snow showers lingering across eastern SD and a more consistent band of snow remaining in the southern third of MN (as of 6:20pm CST). Isolated snow showers and flurries can still be noted in south-central ND, but should continue to wind down over the next few hours. We’ll continue to watch the snows over the southeastern portions of the region gradually exit/fade tonight with much colder temperatures funneling down into the region.
Simulated radar through 6am CST Saturday: Scattered snow showers dwindle in coverage over eastern SD over the next few hours while the more consistent band of snow in southern MN gradually works off to the south and east overnight, mostly clearing the region by 4-5am Saturday. Elsewhere, we can’t rule out a few patches of snow showers/flurries remaining (excluding northeastern ND and northern MN) as the cold air helps to squeeze any residual moisture from the atmosphere.
Here’s a look at additional snowfall potential from the HRRR model through the remainder of the night: Noting generally around an additional 1″ of snow in pockets across northeastern SD with less than an inch across the remainder of eastern SD. Further east across far southern MN, additional accumulations of 2-5″ (mainly along a line from Mankato to Rochester and points south/east) will be likely. Heavier pockets approaching an additional 6″ of snow can’t be ruled out south and east of Rochester, MN near the eastern half of the MN/IA border.
Behind this system, temperatures are going to tumble as colder air along the western periphery of an upper-level trough filters downward into the region. Waking up Saturday morning, temperatures will plummet into the negative teens for most in ND, eastern SD and northern/western MN while wind chills will be even colder (-20ºF to -35ºF). Daytime recovery will be minimal as many in the northern portions of the region likely won’t make it out of the negatives. Sunday morning will be a tad warmer, but that statement is relative as negatives will remain likely in the eastern Dakotas into MN. Wind chills will still range between -20ºF to -35ºF during this time.
As we work into late Saturday, we’ll see a clipper system drop southeastward into the region, gaining coverage and spreading snows in this direction Saturday night. Areas impacted by this clipper look to remain within a corridor stretching from central ND into eastern SD and southwestern MN. Temperatures will remain well below freezing in these areas, so higher snow ratios will be likely, leading to drier, powdery snows.
The clipper system starts impacting northwestern ND with snows starting after lunchtime Saturday and progresses southeastward across central/southeastern ND through the remainder of the afternoon and evening hours. We’ll look for snow coverage to expand into northeastern SD and west-central MN after midnight Saturday night and lift further southeast overnight. During the morning hours Sunday, snows will still be found in central ND, eastern SD and southwestern MN. However, as Sunday morning progresses, snow intensity and coverage will wane with most snow dissipated by Sunday afternoon (though a few lighter snow showers/flurries may remain in central ND).
Here’s a look at potential snowfall with the clipper system from late Saturday through Sunday morning: A swath of snow ranging from 2-4″ will be likely stretching from northwestern/central ND through northeastern SD, with amounts decreasing as you head southeast. This will be a rather narrow corridor, so to the northeast and southwest, amounts will drop off considerably.
A more potent storm system will once again be right on the horizon early next week that gives snow to much of the area. This active pattern will be persistent over the next 7-10 days at least with multiple clipper systems and light-moderate snow chances. Some locations in northern and far southeastern MN could receive several inches of snow from this incoming storm system early next week before all is set and done.
If you have any questions do not hesitate to reach out! Have a great evening!