MINNESOTA, USA — Widespread showers and thunderstorms have moved back into the area. A few cells are producing small hail and numerous lightning strikes. This is all expected to increase in coverage before transitioning to heavy, wet snow soon after dark.
Much of the region has been upgraded to a Blizzard Warning in red shown below. This is primarily due to the 1" to 2.5" per hour snowfall rates. This combined with wind gusts up to 40 mph will create whiteout conditions. Travel is not recommended tonight.
Heavy and widespread snow will be accompanied by a gusty northeast wind creating very difficult travel conditions.
The snow will taper by daybreak Saturday.
We are expecting 4-8" of total snowfall by Saturday morning for the Twin Cities metro. There certainly could be locally higher amounts if the heaviest snow lingers a bit longer than forecast.
This is a classic spring storm, with snow on the northern end and severe weather to the south. Areas in Iowa, Missouri, and Illinois are witnessing a tornado outbreak.
A high risk for severe weather has been issued from the Storm Prediction Center for southeastern Iowa, the highest level on the scale.
Skies clear on Saturday, followed by noticeably warmer temperatures by Sunday afternoon.
YOUR PHOTOS: Winter in Minnesota
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