Major Winter Storm Tuesday

Specific forecast amounts (these are Mon-Wed totals):
5" in Grand Rapids (John Latimer's forecast).
4-5" in Brainerd
8-9" Bemidji
3" Twin Cities
18" International Falls to extreme northern Itasca Co.
7" Duluth
10" in Virginia and Ely
12" over much of the northeastern corner of MN.

The heaviest band of snow this morning has set up exactly where it set up yesterday-- from between Fargo and Grand Forks to International Falls. In this line to maybe 30-40 miles southeast of this line, another 12"+ will fall today, particularly towards International Falls. That will bring totals to the 15" to 20" range in those locations. International Falls is definitely the bullseye for snowfall this winter. This storm will bring their season total to at least 110".

Another band of mixed precipitation is moving northward from southern Minnesota and will reach Brainerd and Grand Rapids this afternoon. The snow will become much heavier over Duluth and up the North Shore this evening as the main low becomes organized in Wisconsin. Grand Rapids and Brainerd will be between these two areas of heaviest snow, so total snowfall may amount to only 3-6", but most likely around 5".

Temperatures will be below zero all day in the northern Red River Valley but be in the 20s much of the day in Duluth. The farther west you go, the colder it will be. Subzero temperatures should be found over the entire area by Thursday morning.

Temperatures will likely be back in the 30s and 40s by this weekend.

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3-5" has already fallen from between Fargo and Grand Forks to International Falls. Expect some continued light snow and maybe some freezing drizzle tonight, mostly from Longville to Grand Rapids and points northward. We may get about a half inch in Grand Rapids and Bemidji and another 1-3" in far northern Itasca County and Koochiching County.

The main portion of the winter storm will move into northern Minnesota on Tuesday. The snow will be relatively light during the morning hours but will increase during the late morning between Fargo and International Falls. During the afternoon, an additional area of snow will move in from the southwest and spread over the rest of the KAXE listening area. The heaviest snowfall rates will occur during the late afternoon and early evening. There should be an additional 5-10" with this main portion of the storm. The snow will end from southwest to northeast late Tuesday night and be followed by windy and cold conditions as the temperatures drop to near zero. Blizzard conditions will likely occur in the Red River Valley. The coldest temperatures will be found Thursday morning (teens below zero) before milder weather returns by this weekend.

This storm will probably add a week to the ski season.