Good morning everyone! We continue to track a winter storm over a large portion of the area this morning with snows persisting in southeastern SD, the southern third of MN, sections of NE and the northwestern half of IA. Warmer temperatures with rain can be found further east across southeastern IA. As we progress through the remainder of the day into tonight, the snows will weaken in coverage and intensity while also slowly drift southward with time as the low pressure center meanders eastward.
Here’s a look at the current winter storm alerts across the area: Winter Storm Warnings remain in effect until 1pm EST today in portions of southeastern SD and through 7pm EST in northern NE. Further east, the Winter Storm Warnings in northwestern IA and far southern MN also run through 1pm EST. Another patch of Warnings include the city of Omaha, which runs through 7pm EST this evening. Elsewhere, there are Winter Weather Advisories in southern NE, just south of Minneapolis and to the north and west of Des Moines. Many of these warnings will be expiring as the day progresses due to the snows dwindling in coverage and intensity.
Simulated radar through 9pm CST this evening: The low pressure center will continue to slowly meander eastward today out of the area, which will help to pull the snows south and eastward with time and steadily weaken the snow coverage. The majority of the snows will be out of southeastern SD by 2pm CST and southern MN by 8pm CST this evening. However, areas of light snow will linger in southeastern NE into southern IA through the evening hours. Weak snow showers/flurry activity will likely remain across the area given the upper-level low aloft.
Simulated radar from 9pm CST this evening through 12pm CST Tuesday: Gradually, the band of snow working through southeastern NE will pull south and east out of the state after 12am CST tonight while southern and eastern IA continue with these snows through the nighttime and early morning hours Monday. With an upper-level low stationed overhead, this will continue to lead to forcing and the development of weak snow showers across the eastern half of NE, far eastern SD, far southern MN and the rest of IA overnight. These areas of light snow/flurries will persist during the day Monday, mainly across far eastern NE into IA with the potential remaining in IA even into Monday night.
While not a large threat, we can’t rule out some patchy fog developing in the High Plains of NE and SD overnight tonight into Monday morning. Any areas of fog that do develop could be dense and will be most likely in any low-lying areas. Temperatures in these areas will be below freezing, which would add to the freezing fog risk. A majority of this fog will burn off late morning.
Here’s a simulation of the temperatures through Monday morning: Temperatures over a large majority of the area today will be below freezing, excluding eastern IA where warmer air holds on. This will allow for a more dry/fluffy snow to fall that will easily accumulate. Heading into tonight and Monday morning, temperatures will fall even further with virtually the entire area well into the 20s. This will allow for re-freeze risks on any wet surfaces so definitely continue to be mindful when traveling through this timeframe.
Continue to expect gusty winds today with gusts as high as 30-35mph at times, especially in southern MN and northern IA. Blowing/drifting snow should continue to be anticipated along with reduced visibilities. Progressing through the afternoon and evening hours, the winds will steadily die down with gusts less than 30mph for most at this point. As the storm system lifts east tonight, winds continue to decrease with most waking up Monday morning with gusts less than 20mph.
Here’s an updated snowfall graphic for additional accumulations through Monday morning: The snows will be decreasing in coverage and intensity through this timespan but we still expect 2-4″ of additional snow before all is set and done in the eastern third of NE, the northwestern half of IA and far southern MN while totals decrease the further south and north you head. As stated yesterday, there was a chance that far southwestern IA/southeastern NE could overachieve given snows developing within close proximity to the western periphery of the low pressure system. This will likely be the case through the day. Travel will continue to be very difficult in these areas.
Total precipitation through the next 7 days: The bulk of the precipitation shown below comes with the current winter storm slowly progressing out of the area. After this system exits and we pass the light snow chances into Tuesday morning, we’ll watch an additional weak wave traverse NE and IA Thursday while eyes are on a potential winter storm Friday into Saturday. However, current indications keep it just south of the area, but something to monitor regardless.
High/low temperatures over the next four days: With colder temperatures working in, the snow will become drier/fluffy as it falls, but will still add to the power line and tree issues. Highs today and Monday will largely remain in the 20s for most excluding eastern IA where 30s are more likely. With the system clearing the area Monday, Monday night lows will fall well into the teens and single digits due to the fresh snowpack.
Here’s a look at winds over the next four days:
Here’s a look at the city charts for Minneapolis, Sioux Falls, Des Moines and Grand Island:
If you have any questions do not hesitate to reach out! Have a great rest of your weekend!