The Wild Reed: A Wintry Mix of Snow and Freezing Rain

Tuesday, January 03, 2023

A Wintry Mix of Snow and Freezing Rain

Write Andrew Krueger and Hannah Yang of Minnesota Public Radio News:

Authorities issued a no-travel advisory for parts of southwest Minnesota on Tuesday, as a winter storm continued to bring a wintry mix of precipitation to the southern two-thirds of the state.

The National Weather Service said snowfall rates of 1 to 2 inches an hour were possible as the snow moved from southwest Minnesota toward central Minnesota – including the Twin Cities. There also were reports of freezing rain.

Snow totals from that first wave of precipitation included 6.4 inches at Waconia, 5.6 inches at Hutchinson, 5.2 inches at Hopkins, 4.7 inches in Eagan and 4 inches at Woodbury, Lakeville and Elko New Market. Parts of southeast South Dakota saw more than 20 inches.

As the first wave of snow moved out Tuesday afternoon, a lull was expected in the evening before snow redeveloped.

A second, prolonged period of light but steady snow is expected Tuesday night into Wednesday.

By the time that’s done late Wednesday, snow totals may exceed a foot in parts of southwest Minnesota, and reach 5 to 10 inches in the Twin Cities.