Alert archive / Minnesota / Winter Storm Watches in 2010

Winter Storm Watch 9, NWS Twin Cities, MN

December 29, 201014 counties in Minnesota

NWS Twin Cities, MN issued this winter storm watch at Dec 29, 2010, 4:59 AM CST for 14 counties in Minnesota. It took effect at Dec 31, 2010, 9:00 AM CST. It was in force for .

The area

The counties it named.

The facts

Issued
Dec 29, 2010, 4:59 AM CST (10:59 UTC)
In effect from
Dec 31, 2010, 9:00 AM CST
Expired
Dec 30, 2010, 2:53 PM CST
In force
Issued by
NWS Twin Cities, MN

Counties Chippewa County, MN, Douglas County, MN, Kandiyohi County, MN, Lac qui Parle County, MN, Meeker County, MN, Morrison County, MN, Pope County, MN, Redwood County, MN, Renville County, MN, Stearns County, MN, Stevens County, MN, Swift County, MN, Todd County, MN, Yellow Medicine County, MN

The radar

The Minneapolis radar (KMPX), 142 km from the middle of the area, began a volume at 11:00 UTC, the scan nearest the moment this went out.

Open the radar archive at this moment

The archived warnings, watches and discussions in force at that minute are drawn over the scan, this one among them.

The nearest sounding before it

Minneapolis, MN (KMPX), launched 00:00Z, 11.0 hours before the alert went out and 140 km from the middle of its area. This is the routine balloon launch nearest before it, the air the forecaster had in hand, not a measurement taken for the alert.

Skew-T log-pSkew-T log-p diagram, Minneapolis, MN at 00:00Z on 2010-12-29Temperature and dew point through the depth of the atmosphere, with the mixed-layer parcel. CAPE 0 joules per kilogram.LCL10008507005003002001001 km2 km3 km6 km9 km12 km15 km-30°-20°-10°0°10°20°30°40°
Temperature in red, dew point in green, the mixed-layer parcel dashed.
HodographHodograph, Minneapolis, MN at 00:00Z on 2010-12-29The wind through the lowest 10 kilometers. Zero to 1 km storm-relative helicity 158 square meters per square second.19395878Sfc1 km3 km6 km9 kmRMLM
The wind turning with height, colored by layer: ground to 1 km, 1 to 3 km, 3 to 6 km, 6 to 10 km.
Mixed-layer CAPE
0 J/kg
Mixed-layer CIN
No buoyant parcel
Mixed-layer LCL
2106 m above ground
0-6 km bulk shear
45 kt
0-1 km storm-relative helicity
158 m²/s²
0-3 km storm-relative helicity
181 m²/s²
Significant tornado parameter
0.0
Supercell composite
0.0

Open this sounding in Storm Lab

The text

As transmitted, in the capitals the NWS used until 2016.

837 
WWUS43 KMPX 291059
WSWMPX

URGENT - WINTER WEATHER MESSAGE
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE TWIN CITIES/CHANHASSEN MN
459 AM CST WED DEC 29 2010

...TWO ROUNDS OF WINTER WEATHER ARE LIKELY IN PORTIONS OF WEST
CENTRAL AND SOUTHWEST MINNESOTA THURSDAY AND FRIDAY...

.A WINTER WEATHER ADVISORY IS IN EFFECT FOR PORTIONS OF WEST
CENTRAL AND SOUTHWEST MINNESOTA FROM VERY EARLY THURSDAY MORNING
UNTIL THURSDAY EVENING. THIS SAME AREA IS ALSO UNDER A WINTER
STORM WATCH ON FRIDAY. THE FIRST ROUND OF WEATHER IS DUE TO A
SYSTEM THAT WILL SPREAD A WINTRY MIX OF PRECIPITATION ACROSS THE
AREA ON THURSDAY. FREEZING DRIZZLE OR LIGHT FREEZING RAIN SHOULD
BEGIN AROUND 3 AM CST THURSDAY MORNING. THE FREEZING DRIZZLE
SHOULD ALSO MIX WITH SNOW AT TIMES...ESPECIALLY IN LOCATIONS
CLOSER TO THE WEST CENTRAL MINNESOTA STATE LINE.

THE PRECIPITATION WILL DIMINISH OR COMPLETELY COME TO AN END
THURSDAY NIGHT IN ADVANCE OF SECOND MORE POTENT WINTER SYSTEM.

THE SECOND ROUND OF WINTER WEATHER WILL ARRIVE FRIDAY MORNING.
COLDER TEMPERATURES SHOULD BRING AN END TO THE FREEZING RAIN BY
FRIDAY AFTERNOON...BUT MODERATE TO HEAVY SNOW WILL BE POSSIBLE
DURING THE DAY. THERE IS THE POTENTIAL FOR A SWATH OF SNOW
BETWEEN 6 AND 10 INCHES IN THE WATCH AREA. IN ADDITION TO THE
SNOW...BLUSTERY NORTHERLY WINDS COULD CREATE AREAS OF BLOWING AND
DRIFTING SNOW. THE ACCUMULATING SNOW IS EXPECTED TO MOVE OUT
FAIRLY QUICKLY SATURDAY MORNING.

MNZ041-047-048-054>056-064-291900-
/O.NEW.KMPX.WW.Y.0024.101230T0900Z-101231T0000Z/
/O.NEW.KMPX.WS.A.0009.101231T1500Z-110101T1200Z/
DOUGLAS-STEVENS-POPE-LAC QUI PARLE-SWIFT-CHIPPEWA-YELLOW MEDICINE-
INCLUDING THE CITIES OF...ALEXANDRIA...MORRIS...GLENWOOD...
MADISON...BENSON...MONTEVIDEO...GRANITE FALLS
459 AM CST WED DEC 29 2010

...WINTER WEATHER ADVISORY IN EFFECT FROM 3 AM TO 6 PM CST
THURSDAY...
...WINTER STORM WATCH IN EFFECT FROM FRIDAY MORNING THROUGH LATE
FRIDAY NIGHT...

THE NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE IN TWIN CITIES/CHANHASSEN HAS ISSUED
A WINTER WEATHER ADVISORY FOR THE COMBINED EFFECTS OF FREEZING
RAIN OR DRIZZLE AND ACCUMULATING SNOW...WHICH IS IN EFFECT FROM 3
AM TO 6 PM CST THURSDAY. A WINTER STORM WATCH HAS ALSO BEEN
ISSUED. THIS WINTER STORM WATCH IS IN EFFECT FROM FRIDAY MORNING
THROUGH LATE FRIDAY NIGHT FOR THE POTENTIAL OF HEAVY SNOW.

* TIMING...FREEZING DRIZZLE OR LIGHT FREEZING RAIN SHOULD BEGIN
  BETWEEN THE HOURS OF MIDNIGHT AND 3 AM CST THURSDAY MORNING. THE
  FREEZING RAIN AND SNOW SHOULD DIMINISH THURSDAY EVENING. THERE
  WILL BE A BREAK THURSDAY NIGHT...BEFORE MODERATE TO HEAVY SNOW
  RETURNS FRIDAY MORNING AND AFTERNOON.

* MAIN IMPACT...1 TO 3 INCHES OF SNOW AND 0.10 TO 0.20 INCH ICE
  ACCUMULATION IS POSSIBLE ON THURSDAY. 6 TO 10 INCHES OF SNOW IS
  POSSIBLE ON FRIDAY.

* OTHER IMPACTS...THE COMBINATION OF SNOW AND ICE COULD MAKE FOR
  DIFFICULT TRAVEL AT TIMES ON THURSDAY AND FRIDAY.


PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...

A WINTER WEATHER ADVISORY MEANS THAT PERIODS OF SNOW...SLEET...OR
FREEZING RAIN WILL CAUSE TRAVEL DIFFICULTIES. BE PREPARED FOR
SLIPPERY ROADS AND LIMITED VISIBILITIES...AND USE CAUTION WHILE
DRIVING.

A WINTER STORM WATCH MEANS THERE IS A POTENTIAL FOR SIGNIFICANT
SNOW...SLEET...OR ICE ACCUMULATIONS THAT MAY IMPACT TRAVEL.
CONTINUE TO MONITOR THE LATEST FORECASTS.

&&

$$

MNZ042-291900-
/O.NEW.KMPX.WW.Y.0024.101230T0900Z-101231T0000Z/
TODD-
INCLUDING THE CITY OF...LONG PRAIRIE
459 AM CST WED DEC 29 2010

...WINTER WEATHER ADVISORY IN EFFECT FROM 3 AM TO 6 PM CST
THURSDAY...

THE NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE IN TWIN CITIES/CHANHASSEN HAS ISSUED
A WINTER WEATHER ADVISORY FOR THE COMBINED EFFECTS OF FREEZING
RAIN OR DRIZZLE AND ACCUMULATING SNOW...WHICH IS IN EFFECT FROM 
3 AM TO 6 PM CST THURSDAY.

* TIMING...FREEZING DRIZZLE OR LIGHT FREEZING RAIN SHOULD BEGIN
  BETWEEN THE HOURS OF MIDNIGHT AND 3 AM CST THURSDAY MORNING. THE
  FREEZING RAIN AND SNOW SHOULD DIMINISH THURSDAY EVENING.

* MAIN IMPACT...1 TO 3 INCHES OF SNOW AND 0.10 TO 0.20 INCH ICE
  ACCUMULATION IS POSSIBLE.

* OTHER IMPACTS...THE COMBINATION OF SNOW AND ICE COULD MAKE FOR
  DIFFICULT TRAVEL AT TIMES ON THURSDAY.

PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...

A WINTER WEATHER ADVISORY MEANS THAT PERIODS OF SNOW...SLEET...OR
FREEZING RAIN WILL CAUSE TRAVEL DIFFICULTIES. BE PREPARED FOR
SLIPPERY ROADS AND LIMITED VISIBILITIES...AND USE CAUTION WHILE
DRIVING.

&&

$$
FRANKS
6 follow-up statements
519 
WWUS43 KMPX 291900
WSWMPX

URGENT - WINTER WEATHER MESSAGE
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE TWIN CITIES/CHANHASSEN MN
100 PM CST WED DEC 29 2010

...TWO ROUNDS OF WINTER WEATHER ARE LIKELY IN PORTIONS OF WEST
CENTRAL AND SOUTHWEST MINNESOTA THURSDAY AND FRIDAY...

.A WINTER WEATHER ADVISORY REMAINS IN EFFECT FOR PORTIONS OF WEST
CENTRAL AND SOUTHWEST MINNESOTA FROM VERY EARLY THURSDAY MORNING
UNTIL THURSDAY EVENING. THIS SAME AREA IS ALSO UNDER A WINTER
STORM WATCH ON FRIDAY. THE FIRST ROUND OF WEATHER IS DUE TO A
SYSTEM THAT WILL SPREAD A WINTRY MIX OF PRECIPITATION ACROSS THE
AREA ON THURSDAY. FREEZING DRIZZLE OR LIGHT FREEZING RAIN SHOULD
BEGIN AROUND 3 AM CST THURSDAY MORNING. THE FREEZING DRIZZLE
SHOULD ALSO MIX WITH SNOW AT TIMES...ESPECIALLY IN LOCATIONS
CLOSER TO THE WEST CENTRAL MINNESOTA STATE LINE. IN
ADDITION...DENSE FOG IS LIKELY TO DEVELOP OVERNIGHT.

THE PRECIPITATION WILL DIMINISH OR COMPLETELY COME TO AN END
THURSDAY NIGHT IN ADVANCE OF SECOND MORE POTENT WINTER SYSTEM.

THE SECOND ROUND OF WINTER WEATHER WILL ARRIVE FRIDAY MORNING.
COLDER TEMPERATURES SHOULD BRING AN END TO THE FREEZING RAIN BY
FRIDAY AFTERNOON...BUT MODERATE TO HEAVY SNOW WILL BE POSSIBLE
DURING THE DAY. THERE IS THE POTENTIAL FOR A SWATH OF SNOW
BETWEEN 6 AND 10 INCHES IN THE WATCH AREA. IN ADDITION TO THE
SNOW...BLUSTERY NORTHERLY WINDS COULD CREATE AREAS OF BLOWING AND
DRIFTING SNOW. THE ACCUMULATING SNOW IS EXPECTED TO MOVE OUT
FAIRLY QUICKLY SATURDAY MORNING.

IT IS POSSIBLE THAT THE AREA COVERED BY THE WINTER STORM WATCH MAY
BE EXPANDED EASTWARD WHEN FORECASTS ARE ISSUED LATER THIS
AFTERNOON. 

MNZ041-047-048-054>056-064-300300-
/O.CON.KMPX.WW.Y.0024.101230T0900Z-101231T0000Z/
/O.CON.KMPX.WS.A.0009.101231T1500Z-110101T1200Z/
DOUGLAS-STEVENS-POPE-LAC QUI PARLE-SWIFT-CHIPPEWA-YELLOW MEDICINE-
INCLUDING THE CITIES OF...ALEXANDRIA...MORRIS...GLENWOOD...
MADISON...BENSON...MONTEVIDEO...GRANITE FALLS
100 PM CST WED DEC 29 2010

...WINTER WEATHER ADVISORY REMAINS IN EFFECT FROM 3 AM TO 6 PM
CST THURSDAY...
...WINTER STORM WATCH REMAINS IN EFFECT FROM FRIDAY MORNING
THROUGH LATE FRIDAY NIGHT...

A WINTER WEATHER ADVISORY REMAINS IN EFFECT FROM 3 AM TO 6 PM CST
THURSDAY. A WINTER STORM WATCH REMAINS IN EFFECT FROM FRIDAY
MORNING THROUGH LATE FRIDAY NIGHT. 

* TIMING...FREEZING DRIZZLE OR LIGHT FREEZING RAIN SHOULD BEGIN
  BETWEEN THE HOURS OF MIDNIGHT AND 3 AM CST THURSDAY MORNING. THE
  FREEZING RAIN AND SNOW SHOULD DIMINISH THURSDAY EVENING. THERE
  WILL BE A BREAK THURSDAY NIGHT...BEFORE MODERATE TO HEAVY SNOW
  RETURNS FRIDAY MORNING AND AFTERNOON. DENSE FOG MAY ALSO DEVELOP
  TONIGHT.

* MAIN IMPACT...1 TO 3 INCHES OF SNOW AND 0.10 TO 0.20 INCH ICE 
  ACCUMULATION IS POSSIBLE ON THURSDAY. 6 TO 10 INCHES OF SNOW 
  IS POSSIBLE ON FRIDAY. 

* OTHER IMPACTS...THE COMBINATION OF SNOW AND ICE COULD MAKE FOR 
  DIFFICULT TRAVEL AT TIMES ON THURSDAY AND FRIDAY. 

PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...

A WINTER WEATHER ADVISORY MEANS THAT PERIODS OF SNOW...SLEET...OR
FREEZING RAIN WILL CAUSE TRAVEL DIFFICULTIES. BE PREPARED FOR
SLIPPERY ROADS AND LIMITED VISIBILITIES...AND USE CAUTION WHILE
DRIVING.

A WINTER STORM WATCH MEANS THERE IS A POTENTIAL FOR SIGNIFICANT
SNOW...SLEET...OR ICE ACCUMULATIONS THAT MAY IMPACT TRAVEL.
CONTINUE TO MONITOR THE LATEST FORECASTS.

&&

$$

MNZ042-300300-
/O.CON.KMPX.WW.Y.0024.101230T0900Z-101231T0000Z/
TODD-
INCLUDING THE CITY OF...LONG PRAIRIE
100 PM CST WED DEC 29 2010

...WINTER WEATHER ADVISORY REMAINS IN EFFECT FROM 3 AM TO 6 PM
CST THURSDAY...

A WINTER WEATHER ADVISORY REMAINS IN EFFECT FROM 3 AM TO 6 PM CST
THURSDAY. 

* TIMING...FREEZING DRIZZLE OR LIGHT FREEZING RAIN SHOULD BEGIN
  BETWEEN THE HOURS OF MIDNIGHT AND 3 AM CST THURSDAY MORNING. THE
  FREEZING RAIN AND SNOW SHOULD DIMINISH THURSDAY EVENING. IN
  ADDITION...AREAS OF DENSE FOG WILL DEVELOP OVERNIGHT.

* MAIN IMPACT...1 TO 3 INCHES OF SNOW AND 0.10 TO 0.20 INCH ICE 
  ACCUMULATION IS POSSIBLE. 

* OTHER IMPACTS...THE COMBINATION OF SNOW AND ICE COULD MAKE FOR 
  DIFFICULT TRAVEL AT TIMES ON THURSDAY. 

PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...

A WINTER WEATHER ADVISORY MEANS THAT PERIODS OF SNOW...SLEET...OR
FREEZING RAIN WILL CAUSE TRAVEL DIFFICULTIES. BE PREPARED FOR
SLIPPERY ROADS AND LIMITED VISIBILITIES...AND USE CAUTION WHILE
DRIVING.

&&

$$

BAP
286 
WWUS43 KMPX 292105
WSWMPX

URGENT - WINTER WEATHER MESSAGE
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE TWIN CITIES/CHANHASSEN MN
305 PM CST WED DEC 29 2010

...TWO ROUNDS OF WINTER WEATHER ARE LIKELY IN PORTIONS OF WEST
CENTRAL AND SOUTHWEST MINNESOTA THURSDAY AND FRIDAY...

.A WINTER WEATHER ADVISORY REMAINS IN EFFECT FOR PORTIONS OF WEST
CENTRAL AND SOUTHWEST MINNESOTA FROM VERY EARLY THURSDAY MORNING
UNTIL THURSDAY EVENING. THE FIRST ROUND OF WEATHER IS DUE TO A
SYSTEM THAT WILL SPREAD A WINTRY MIX OF PRECIPITATION ACROSS THE
AREA ON THURSDAY. FREEZING DRIZZLE OR LIGHT FREEZING RAIN SHOULD
BEGIN AROUND 3 AM CST THURSDAY MORNING. THE FREEZING DRIZZLE
SHOULD ALSO MIX WITH SNOW AT TIMES...ESPECIALLY IN LOCATIONS
CLOSER TO THE WEST CENTRAL MINNESOTA STATE LINE. SNOW COULD
ACCUMULATE TO 2 TO 4 INCHES AROUND STAPLES...MORRIS AND ALEXANDRIA
WITH LESSER AMOUNTS FROM CANBY TO BENSON.

THE PRECIPITATION WILL DIMINISH THURSDAY NIGHT IN ADVANCE OF
SECOND MORE POTENT WINTER SYSTEM.

THE SECOND ROUND OF WINTER WEATHER WILL ARRIVE FRIDAY MORNING.
COLDER TEMPERATURES SHOULD BRING AN END TO THE FREEZING RAIN BY
FRIDAY AFTERNOON...BUT MODERATE TO HEAVY SNOW WILL BE POSSIBLE
DURING THE DAY. THERE IS THE POTENTIAL FOR A SWATH OF SNOW
BETWEEN 6 AND 10 INCHES IN THE WATCH AREA. IN ADDITION TO THE
SNOW...BLUSTERY NORTHERLY WINDS COULD CREATE AREAS OF BLOWING AND
DRIFTING SNOW. THE ACCUMULATING SNOW IS EXPECTED TO MOVE OUT
FAIRLY QUICKLY SATURDAY MORNING...WITH WINDS REMAINING GUSTY. THE
WATCH HAS BEEN EXPANDED TO INCLUDE AREAS FROM LITTLE FALLS...TO
LITCHFIELD TO OLIVIA.

MNZ041-047-048-054>056-064-300515-
/O.CON.KMPX.WW.Y.0024.101230T0900Z-101231T0000Z/
/O.CON.KMPX.WS.A.0009.101231T1500Z-110101T1200Z/
DOUGLAS-STEVENS-POPE-LAC QUI PARLE-SWIFT-CHIPPEWA-YELLOW MEDICINE-
INCLUDING THE CITIES OF...ALEXANDRIA...MORRIS...GLENWOOD...
MADISON...BENSON...MONTEVIDEO...GRANITE FALLS
305 PM CST WED DEC 29 2010

...WINTER WEATHER ADVISORY REMAINS IN EFFECT FROM 3 AM TO 6 PM
CST THURSDAY...
...WINTER STORM WATCH REMAINS IN EFFECT FROM FRIDAY MORNING
THROUGH LATE FRIDAY NIGHT...

A WINTER WEATHER ADVISORY REMAINS IN EFFECT FROM 3 AM TO 6 PM CST
THURSDAY. A WINTER STORM WATCH REMAINS IN EFFECT FROM FRIDAY
MORNING THROUGH LATE FRIDAY NIGHT. 

* TIMING...FREEZING DRIZZLE OR LIGHT FREEZING RAIN SHOULD BEGIN
  BETWEEN THE HOURS OF MIDNIGHT AND 3 AM CST THURSDAY MORNING. THE
  FREEZING RAIN AND SNOW SHOULD DIMINISH THURSDAY EVENING. THERE
  WILL BE A BREAK THURSDAY NIGHT...BEFORE MODERATE TO HEAVY SNOW
  RETURNS FRIDAY MORNING AND AFTERNOON. 

* MAIN IMPACT...1 TO 4 INCHES OF SNOW AND 0.10 TO 0.20 INCH ICE
  ACCUMULATION IS POSSIBLE ON THURSDAY. 6 TO 10 INCHES OF SNOW IS
  POSSIBLE ON FRIDAY AND FRIDAY NIGHT.

* OTHER IMPACTS...THE COMBINATION OF SNOW AND ICE COULD MAKE FOR
  DIFFICULT TRAVEL AT TIMES ON THURSDAY AND FRIDAY. GUSTY
  NORTHWEST WINDS MAY CAUSE BLOWING AND DRIFTING SNOW FRIDAY
  NIGHT.

PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...

A WINTER WEATHER ADVISORY MEANS THAT PERIODS OF SNOW...SLEET...OR
FREEZING RAIN WILL CAUSE TRAVEL DIFFICULTIES. BE PREPARED FOR
SLIPPERY ROADS AND LIMITED VISIBILITIES...AND USE CAUTION WHILE
DRIVING.

A WINTER STORM WATCH MEANS THERE IS A POTENTIAL FOR SIGNIFICANT
SNOW...SLEET...OR ICE ACCUMULATIONS THAT MAY IMPACT TRAVEL.
CONTINUE TO MONITOR THE LATEST FORECASTS.

&&

$$

MNZ042-300515-
/O.EXA.KMPX.WS.A.0009.101231T1500Z-110101T1200Z/
/O.CON.KMPX.WW.Y.0024.101230T0900Z-101231T0000Z/
TODD-
INCLUDING THE CITY OF...LONG PRAIRIE
305 PM CST WED DEC 29 2010

...WINTER WEATHER ADVISORY REMAINS IN EFFECT FROM 3 AM TO 6 PM
CST THURSDAY...
...WINTER STORM WATCH IN EFFECT FROM FRIDAY MORNING THROUGH LATE
FRIDAY NIGHT...

THE NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE IN TWIN CITIES/CHANHASSEN HAS ISSUED
A WINTER STORM WATCH...WHICH IS IN EFFECT FROM FRIDAY MORNING
THROUGH LATE FRIDAY NIGHT. A WINTER WEATHER ADVISORY REMAINS IN
EFFECT FROM 3 AM TO 6 PM CST THURSDAY. 

* TIMING...FREEZING DRIZZLE OR LIGHT FREEZING RAIN SHOULD BEGIN
  BETWEEN THE HOURS OF MIDNIGHT AND 3 AM CST THURSDAY MORNING. THE
  FREEZING RAIN AND SNOW SHOULD DIMINISH THURSDAY EVENING. THERE
  WILL BE A BREAK THURSDAY NIGHT...BEFORE MODERATE TO HEAVY SNOW
  RETURNS FRIDAY MORNING AND AFTERNOON. 

* MAIN IMPACT...1 TO 3 INCHES OF SNOW AND 0.10 TO 0.20 INCH ICE
  ACCUMULATION IS POSSIBLE ON THURSDAY. 6 OR MORE INCHES OF SNOW
  IS POSSIBLE ON FRIDAY AND FRIDAY NIGHT.

* OTHER IMPACTS...THE COMBINATION OF SNOW AND ICE COULD MAKE FOR
  DIFFICULT TRAVEL AT TIMES ON THURSDAY AND FRIDAY. GUSTY
  NORTHWEST WINDS WILL DEVELOP FRIDAY NIGHT.

PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...

A WINTER WEATHER ADVISORY MEANS THAT PERIODS OF SNOW...SLEET...OR
FREEZING RAIN WILL CAUSE TRAVEL DIFFICULTIES. BE PREPARED FOR
SLIPPERY ROADS AND LIMITED VISIBILITIES...AND USE CAUTION WHILE
DRIVING.

A WINTER STORM WATCH MEANS THERE IS A POTENTIAL FOR SIGNIFICANT
SNOW...SLEET...OR ICE ACCUMULATIONS THAT MAY IMPACT TRAVEL.
CONTINUE TO MONITOR THE LATEST FORECASTS.

&&

$$

MNZ043-049-057-058-065-073-300515-
/O.EXA.KMPX.WS.A.0009.101231T1500Z-110101T1200Z/
MORRISON-STEARNS-KANDIYOHI-MEEKER-RENVILLE-REDWOOD-
INCLUDING THE CITIES OF...LITTLE FALLS...ST. CLOUD...WILLMAR...
LITCHFIELD...OLIVIA...REDWOOD FALLS
305 PM CST WED DEC 29 2010

...WINTER STORM WATCH IN EFFECT FROM FRIDAY MORNING THROUGH LATE
FRIDAY NIGHT...

THE NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE IN TWIN CITIES/CHANHASSEN HAS ISSUED
A WINTER STORM WATCH...WHICH IS IN EFFECT FROM FRIDAY MORNING
THROUGH LATE FRIDAY NIGHT. 

* TIMING...FREEZING DRIZZLE OR LIGHT FREEZING RAIN SHOULD BEGIN
  BETWEEN THE HOURS OF MIDNIGHT AND 3 AM CST THURSDAY MORNING. THE
  FREEZING RAIN AND SNOW SHOULD DIMINISH THURSDAY EVENING. THERE
  WILL BE A BREAK THURSDAY NIGHT...BEFORE MODERATE TO HEAVY SNOW
  RETURNS FRIDAY MORNING AND AFTERNOON. 

* MAIN IMPACT...1 TO 2 INCHES OF SNOW AND 0.10 TO 0.20 INCH ICE
  ACCUMULATION IS POSSIBLE ON THURSDAY. 6 OR MORE INCHES OF SNOW
  IS POSSIBLE ON FRIDAY AND FRIDAY NIGHT.

* OTHER IMPACTS...THE COMBINATION OF SNOW AND ICE COULD MAKE FOR
  DIFFICULT TRAVEL AT TIMES ON THURSDAY AND FRIDAY. GUSTY
  NORTHWEST WINDS WILL DEVELOP FRIDAY NIGHT.

PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...

A WINTER WEATHER ADVISORY MEANS THAT PERIODS OF SNOW...SLEET...OR
FREEZING RAIN WILL CAUSE TRAVEL DIFFICULTIES. BE PREPARED FOR
SLIPPERY ROADS AND LIMITED VISIBILITIES...AND USE CAUTION WHILE
DRIVING.

A WINTER STORM WATCH MEANS THERE IS A POTENTIAL FOR SIGNIFICANT
SNOW...SLEET...OR ICE ACCUMULATIONS THAT MAY IMPACT TRAVEL.
CONTINUE TO MONITOR THE LATEST FORECASTS.

&&

$$
443 
WWUS43 KMPX 300333
WSWMPX

URGENT - WINTER WEATHER MESSAGE
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE TWIN CITIES/CHANHASSEN MN
933 PM CST WED DEC 29 2010

...TWO ROUNDS OF WINTER WEATHER ARE LIKELY IN PORTIONS OF WEST
CENTRAL AND SOUTHWEST MINNESOTA THURSDAY AND FRIDAY...

.A WINTER WEATHER ADVISORY REMAINS IN EFFECT FOR PORTIONS OF WEST
CENTRAL AND SOUTHWEST MINNESOTA TONIGHT INTO THURSDAY EVENING. THE
FIRST ROUND OF WEATHER IS DUE TO A SYSTEM THAT WILL SPREAD A
WINTRY MIX OF PRECIPITATION ACROSS THE AREA BY THURSDAY MORNING.
WITH TEMPERATURES HOVERING CLOSE TO THE FREEZING MARK...LIGHT
FREEZING DRIZZLE OR FREEZING RAIN IS POSSIBLE.  A THIN LAYER OF
ICE COULD FORM ON BRIDGES...OVERPASSES AND LESS TRAVELED ROAD
SURFACES...ESPECIALLY OVER PARTS OF WEST CENTRAL AND CENTRAL
MINNESOTA. THE FREEZING PRECIPITATION SHOULD ALSO MIX WITH SNOW
AT TIMES...ESPECIALLY IN LOCATIONS CLOSER TO THE WEST CENTRAL
MINNESOTA STATE LINE. SNOW COULD ACCUMULATE TO 2 TO 4 INCHES
AROUND STAPLES...MORRIS AND ALEXANDRIA WITH LESSER AMOUNTS FROM
CANBY TO BENSON BY THURSDAY EVENING.

THE PRECIPITATION WILL DIMINISH THURSDAY NIGHT IN ADVANCE OF
SECOND MORE POTENT WINTER SYSTEM.

THE SECOND ROUND OF WINTER WEATHER WILL ARRIVE FRIDAY MORNING. 
COLDER TEMPERATURES SHOULD BRING AN END TO THE FREEZING RAIN BY
FRIDAY AFTERNOON...BUT MODERATE TO HEAVY SNOW WILL BE POSSIBLE
DURING THE DAY OVER MUCH OF WESTERN MINNESOTA. THERE IS THE
POTENTIAL FOR A SWATH OF SNOW BETWEEN 6 AND 10 INCHES IN THE
WATCH AREA. IN ADDITION TO THE SNOW...BLUSTERY NORTHERLY WINDS
COULD CREATE AREAS OF BLOWING AND DRIFTING SNOW. THE ACCUMULATING
SNOW IS EXPECTED TO MOVE OUT FAIRLY QUICKLY SATURDAY
MORNING...WITH WINDS REMAINING GUSTY.


MNZ043-049-057-058-065-301145-
/O.EXB.KMPX.WW.Y.0024.101230T0333Z-101231T0000Z/
/O.CON.KMPX.WS.A.0009.101231T1500Z-110101T1200Z/
MORRISON-STEARNS-KANDIYOHI-MEEKER-RENVILLE-
INCLUDING THE CITIES OF...LITTLE FALLS...ST. CLOUD...WILLMAR...
LITCHFIELD...OLIVIA
933 PM CST WED DEC 29 2010

...WINTER WEATHER ADVISORY IN EFFECT UNTIL 6 PM CST THURSDAY...
...WINTER STORM WATCH REMAINS IN EFFECT FROM FRIDAY MORNING
THROUGH LATE FRIDAY NIGHT...

THE NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE IN TWIN CITIES/CHANHASSEN HAS ISSUED
A WINTER WEATHER ADVISORY FOR FREEZING RAIN AND SNOW...WHICH IS
IN EFFECT UNTIL 6 PM CST THURSDAY. A WINTER STORM WATCH REMAINS IN
EFFECT FROM FRIDAY MORNING THROUGH LATE FRIDAY NIGHT.

* TIMING...FREEZING DRIZZLE OR LIGHT FREEZING RAIN AND SNOW ARE
  LIKELY OVERNIGHT INTO THURSDAY. THE FREEZING RAIN AND SNOW
  SHOULD DIMINISH THURSDAY EVENING. THERE WILL BE A BREAK THURSDAY
  NIGHT...BEFORE MODERATE TO HEAVY SNOW RETURNS FRIDAY MORNING AND
  AFTERNOON.

* MAIN IMPACT...1 TO 2 INCHES OF SNOW AND BETWEEN 0.10 TO 0.20
  INCH ICE ACCUMULATION ARE POSSIBLE ON THURSDAY. 6 OR MORE
  INCHES OF SNOW IS POSSIBLE ON FRIDAY AND FRIDAY NIGHT.

* OTHER IMPACTS...THE COMBINATION OF SNOW AND ICE COULD MAKE FOR 
  DIFFICULT TRAVEL AT TIMES ON THURSDAY AND FRIDAY. GUSTY 
  NORTHWEST WINDS WILL DEVELOP FRIDAY NIGHT. 

PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...

A WINTER WEATHER ADVISORY MEANS THAT PERIODS OF SNOW...SLEET...OR
FREEZING RAIN WILL CAUSE TRAVEL DIFFICULTIES. BE PREPARED FOR
SLIPPERY ROADS AND LIMITED VISIBILITIES...AND USE CAUTION WHILE
DRIVING.

A WINTER STORM WATCH MEANS THERE IS A POTENTIAL FOR SIGNIFICANT
SNOW...SLEET...OR ICE ACCUMULATIONS THAT MAY IMPACT TRAVEL.
CONTINUE TO MONITOR THE LATEST FORECASTS.

&&

$$

MNZ044-045-050>052-059-066-301145-
/O.EXB.KMPX.WW.Y.0024.101230T0333Z-101231T0000Z/
MILLE LACS-KANABEC-BENTON-SHERBURNE-ISANTI-WRIGHT-MCLEOD-
INCLUDING THE CITIES OF...PRINCETON...MORA...FOLEY...ELK RIVER...
CAMBRIDGE...MONTICELLO...HUTCHINSON
933 PM CST WED DEC 29 2010

...WINTER WEATHER ADVISORY IN EFFECT UNTIL 6 PM CST THURSDAY...

THE NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE IN TWIN CITIES/CHANHASSEN HAS ISSUED
A WINTER WEATHER ADVISORY FOR LIGHT FREEZING DRIZZLE AND FREEZING
RAIN...WHICH IS IN EFFECT UNTIL 6 PM CST THURSDAY.

* TIMING...FREEZING DRIZZLE OR LIGHT FREEZING RAIN IS POSSIBLE AS
  TEMPERATURES HOVER CLOSE TO THE FREEZING MARK. THE FREEZING
  PRECIPITATION WILL BECOME MIXED WITH SNOW DURING THE DAY ON
  THURSDAY. THE FREEZING RAIN AND SNOW SHOULD DIMINISH THURSDAY
  EVENING. THERE WILL BE A BREAK THURSDAY NIGHT...BEFORE MODERATE
  TO HEAVY SNOW RETURNS FRIDAY MORNING AND AFTERNOON.

* MAIN IMPACT...1 TO 4 INCHES OF SNOW AND 0.10 TO 0.20 INCH ICE 
  ACCUMULATION IS POSSIBLE ON THURSDAY. 6 TO 10 INCHES OF SNOW 
  IS POSSIBLE ON FRIDAY AND FRIDAY NIGHT. 

* OTHER IMPACTS...THE COMBINATION OF SNOW AND ICE COULD MAKE FOR 
  DIFFICULT TRAVEL AT TIMES ON THURSDAY AND FRIDAY. GUSTY 
  NORTHWEST WINDS MAY CAUSE BLOWING AND DRIFTING SNOW FRIDAY 
  NIGHT. 

PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...

A WINTER WEATHER ADVISORY MEANS THAT PERIODS OF SNOW...SLEET...OR
FREEZING RAIN WILL CAUSE TRAVEL DIFFICULTIES. BE PREPARED FOR
SLIPPERY ROADS AND LIMITED VISIBILITIES...AND USE CAUTION WHILE
DRIVING.

A WINTER STORM WATCH MEANS THERE IS A POTENTIAL FOR SIGNIFICANT
SNOW...SLEET...OR ICE ACCUMULATIONS THAT MAY IMPACT TRAVEL.
CONTINUE TO MONITOR THE LATEST FORECASTS.

&&

$$

MNZ041-042-047-048-054>056-064-301145-
/O.EXT.KMPX.WW.Y.0024.101230T0333Z-101231T0000Z/
/O.CON.KMPX.WS.A.0009.101231T1500Z-110101T1200Z/
DOUGLAS-TODD-STEVENS-POPE-LAC QUI PARLE-SWIFT-CHIPPEWA-
YELLOW MEDICINE-
INCLUDING THE CITIES OF...ALEXANDRIA...LONG PRAIRIE...MORRIS...
GLENWOOD...MADISON...BENSON...MONTEVIDEO...GRANITE FALLS
933 PM CST WED DEC 29 2010

...WINTER WEATHER ADVISORY NOW IN EFFECT UNTIL 6 PM CST
THURSDAY...
...WINTER STORM WATCH REMAINS IN EFFECT FROM FRIDAY MORNING
THROUGH LATE FRIDAY NIGHT...

THE WINTER WEATHER ADVISORY IS NOW IN EFFECT UNTIL 6 PM CST
THURSDAY. A WINTER STORM WATCH REMAINS IN EFFECT FROM FRIDAY
MORNING THROUGH LATE FRIDAY NIGHT. 

* TIMING...FREEZING DRIZZLE OR LIGHT FREEZING RAIN OCCASIONALLY
  MIXED WITH SNOW AT TIMES WILL CONTINUE THROUGH THURSDAY MORNING.
  THE FREEZING RAIN AND SNOW SHOULD DIMINISH THURSDAY EVENING.
  THERE WILL BE A BREAK THURSDAY NIGHT...BEFORE MODERATE TO HEAVY
  SNOW RETURNS FRIDAY MORNING AND AFTERNOON.

* MAIN IMPACT...1 TO 4 INCHES OF SNOW AND 0.10 TO 0.20 INCH ICE 
  ACCUMULATION IS POSSIBLE ON THURSDAY. 6 TO 10 INCHES OF SNOW 
  IS POSSIBLE ON FRIDAY AND FRIDAY NIGHT. 

* OTHER IMPACTS...THE COMBINATION OF SNOW AND ICE COULD MAKE FOR 
  DIFFICULT TRAVEL AT TIMES ON THURSDAY AND FRIDAY. GUSTY 
  NORTHWEST WINDS MAY CAUSE BLOWING AND DRIFTING SNOW FRIDAY 
  NIGHT. 

PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...

A WINTER WEATHER ADVISORY MEANS THAT PERIODS OF SNOW...SLEET...OR
FREEZING RAIN WILL CAUSE TRAVEL DIFFICULTIES. BE PREPARED FOR
SLIPPERY ROADS AND LIMITED VISIBILITIES...AND USE CAUTION WHILE
DRIVING.

A WINTER STORM WATCH MEANS THERE IS A POTENTIAL FOR SIGNIFICANT
SNOW...SLEET...OR ICE ACCUMULATIONS THAT MAY IMPACT TRAVEL.
CONTINUE TO MONITOR THE LATEST FORECASTS.

&&

$$

MNZ073-301145-
/O.CON.KMPX.WS.A.0009.101231T1500Z-110101T1200Z/
REDWOOD-
INCLUDING THE CITY OF...REDWOOD FALLS
933 PM CST WED DEC 29 2010

...WINTER STORM WATCH REMAINS IN EFFECT FROM FRIDAY MORNING
THROUGH LATE FRIDAY NIGHT...

A WINTER STORM WATCH REMAINS IN EFFECT FROM FRIDAY MORNING
THROUGH LATE FRIDAY NIGHT. 

* TIMING...PATCHY AREAS OF FREEZING DRIZZLE WILL BE POSSIBLE
  OVERNIGHT. FREEZING RAIN AND SNOW WILL OCCUR DURING THE DAY ON
  THURSDAY THEN DIMINISH BY THURSDAY EVENING. THERE WILL BE A
  BREAK THURSDAY NIGHT...BEFORE MODERATE TO HEAVY SNOW RETURNS
  FRIDAY MORNING AND AFTERNOON.

* MAIN IMPACT...1 TO 2 INCHES OF SNOW AND 0.10 TO 0.20 INCH ICE 
  ACCUMULATION IS POSSIBLE ON THURSDAY. 6 OR MORE INCHES OF SNOW 
  IS POSSIBLE ON FRIDAY AND FRIDAY NIGHT. 

* OTHER IMPACTS...THE COMBINATION OF SNOW AND ICE COULD MAKE FOR 
  DIFFICULT TRAVEL AT TIMES ON THURSDAY AND FRIDAY. GUSTY 
  NORTHWEST WINDS WILL DEVELOP FRIDAY NIGHT. 

PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...

A WINTER WEATHER ADVISORY MEANS THAT PERIODS OF SNOW...SLEET...OR
FREEZING RAIN WILL CAUSE TRAVEL DIFFICULTIES. BE PREPARED FOR
SLIPPERY ROADS AND LIMITED VISIBILITIES...AND USE CAUTION WHILE
DRIVING.

A WINTER STORM WATCH MEANS THERE IS A POTENTIAL FOR SIGNIFICANT
SNOW...SLEET...OR ICE ACCUMULATIONS THAT MAY IMPACT TRAVEL.
CONTINUE TO MONITOR THE LATEST FORECASTS.

&&

$$
846 
WWUS43 KMPX 300912
WSWMPX

URGENT - WINTER WEATHER MESSAGE
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE TWIN CITIES/CHANHASSEN MN
312 AM CST THU DEC 30 2010

...TWO ROUNDS OF WINTER WEATHER ARE LIKELY IN PORTIONS OF WEST
CENTRAL AND SOUTHWEST MINNESOTA TODAY AND AGAIN FROM FRIDAY INTO
SATURDAY...

.A WINTER WEATHER ADVISORY REMAINS IN EFFECT FOR PORTIONS OF WEST
CENTRAL AND SOUTHWEST MINNESOTA INTO THIS EVENING. THE FIRST
ROUND OF WEATHER IS DUE TO A SYSTEM THAT WILL SPREAD A WINTRY MIX
OF PRECIPITATION ACROSS THE AREA THIS MORNING. ALTHOUGH MOST AREAS
HAVE SEEN TEMPERATURES WARM ABOVE FREEZING... A FEW LOCATIONS
COULD SEE SOME LIGHT FREEZING RAIN OR FREEZING DRIZZLE THIS
MORNING... MAINLY NORTH AND WEST OF A LINE FROM MONTEVIDEO TO
SAINT CLOUD. A THIN LAYER OF ICE COULD FORM ON LESS TRAVELED ROAD
SURFACES AND WALKWAYS. THE FREEZING PRECIPITATION WILL MIX WITH
SNOW AT TIMES... ESPECIALLY IN LOCATIONS CLOSER TO THE WEST
CENTRAL MINNESOTA STATE LINE. SNOW COULD ACCUMULATE TO 2 TO 4
INCHES AROUND STAPLES... MORRIS AND ALEXANDRIA WITH LESSER
AMOUNTS FROM CANBY TO BENSON BY MID EVENING.

THE PRECIPITATION WILL DIMINISH BY LATE EVENING AS A POCKET OF DRY
AIR BRIEFLY MOVES INTO THE AREA IN ADVANCE OF SECOND MORE POTENT
WINTER WEATHER SYSTEM WHICH WILL IMPACT THE REGION FROM FRIDAY
INTO SATURDAY MORNING.

THE SECOND ROUND OF WINTER WEATHER WILL ARRIVE BY EARLY FRIDAY
AFTERNOON AND PERSIST INTO EARLY SATURDAY. A WINTER STORM WATCH
REMAINS IN EFFECT FOR WEST CENTRAL MINNESOTA AND PORTIONS OF
CENTRAL MINNESOTA FOR THE POTENTIAL OF SIGNIFICANT SNOW
ACCUMULATIONS WITH THIS SECOND WEATHER SYSTEM. COLDER TEMPERATURES
WILL FILTER BACK INTO THE WATCH AREA BEFORE THE BULK OF THE
PRECIPITATION ARRIVES ON FRIDAY... ALTHOUGH SOME LINGERING LIGHT
FREEZING DRIZZLE COULD OCCUR THURSDAY NIGHT INTO EARLY FRIDAY
MORNING BEFORE SNOW ARRIVES. MODERATE TO HEAVY SNOW WILL BE
POSSIBLE FRIDAY AFTERNOON INTO FRIDAY NIGHT OVER MUCH OF WESTERN
MINNESOTA. THERE IS THE POTENTIAL FOR A SWATH OF SNOW BETWEEN 6
AND 10 INCHES IN THE WATCH AREA. IN ADDITION TO THE SNOW...
BLUSTERY NORTHWEST WINDS COULD CREATE AREAS OF BLOWING AND
DRIFTING SNOW. THE ACCUMULATING SNOW IS EXPECTED TO MOVE OUT
FAIRLY QUICKLY SATURDAY MORNING... BUT WINDS WILL REMAIN GUSTY.

MNZ041-047-048-054>056-064-301900-
/O.EXT.KMPX.WW.Y.0024.000000T0000Z-101231T0300Z/
/O.EXT.KMPX.WS.A.0009.101231T1500Z-110101T1800Z/
DOUGLAS-STEVENS-POPE-LAC QUI PARLE-SWIFT-CHIPPEWA-YELLOW MEDICINE-
INCLUDING THE CITIES OF...ALEXANDRIA...MORRIS...GLENWOOD...
MADISON...BENSON...MONTEVIDEO...GRANITE FALLS
312 AM CST THU DEC 30 2010

...WINTER WEATHER ADVISORY NOW IN EFFECT UNTIL 9 PM CST THIS
EVENING...
...WINTER STORM WATCH NOW IN EFFECT FROM FRIDAY MORNING THROUGH
SATURDAY MORNING...

THE WINTER WEATHER ADVISORY IS NOW IN EFFECT UNTIL 9 PM CST THIS
EVENING. THE WINTER STORM WATCH IS NOW IN EFFECT FROM FRIDAY
MORNING THROUGH SATURDAY MORNING. 

* TIMING...RAIN...FREEZING DRIZZLE OR LIGHT FREEZING RAIN WILL
  OCCASIONALLY MIX WITH SNOW THIS MORNING. THE MIXED PRECIPITATION
  SHOULD BECOME PREDOMINANTLY SNOW BY LATE AFTERNOON. THERE WILL
  BE A LULL IN PRECIPITATION FROM LATE THIS EVENING INTO FRIDAY
  MORNING BEFORE MODERATE TO HEAVY SNOW RETURNS BY FRIDAY
  AFTERNOON.

* MAIN IMPACT...1 TO 4 INCHES OF SNOW AND UP TO A TENTH OF AN INCH
  OF ICE ACCUMULATION ARE POSSIBLE TODAY THROUGH THIS EVENING. 6 TO
  10 INCHES OF SNOW IS POSSIBLE FROM FRIDAY THROUGH EARLY
  SATURDAY... PARTICULARLY NORTHWEST OF A LINE FROM APPLETON TO
  LONG PRAIRIE.

* OTHER IMPACTS...THE COMBINATION OF SNOW AND ICE COULD MAKE FOR
  DIFFICULT TRAVEL AT TIMES TODAY. ALTHOUGH AIR TEMPERATURES MAY
  BE ABOVE FREEZING... GROUND TEMPERATURES NEAR OR BELOW FREEZING
  MAY CREATE UNANTICIPATED SLICK SPOTS. ADDITIONAL SNOW ALONG WITH
  GUSTY NORTHWEST WINDS MAY CAUSE BLOWING AND DRIFTING SNOW FRIDAY
  THROUGH EARLY SATURDAY.

PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...

A WINTER WEATHER ADVISORY MEANS THAT PERIODS OF SNOW...SLEET...OR
FREEZING RAIN WILL CAUSE TRAVEL DIFFICULTIES. BE PREPARED FOR
SLIPPERY ROADS AND LIMITED VISIBILITIES...AND USE CAUTION WHILE
DRIVING.

A WINTER STORM WATCH MEANS THERE IS A POTENTIAL FOR SIGNIFICANT
SNOW...SLEET...OR ICE ACCUMULATIONS THAT MAY IMPACT TRAVEL.
CONTINUE TO MONITOR THE LATEST FORECASTS.

&&

$$

MNZ042-043-049-057-058-065-301900-
/O.EXT.KMPX.WW.Y.0024.000000T0000Z-101231T0300Z/
/O.CON.KMPX.WS.A.0009.101231T1500Z-110101T1200Z/
TODD-MORRISON-STEARNS-KANDIYOHI-MEEKER-RENVILLE-
INCLUDING THE CITIES OF...LONG PRAIRIE...LITTLE FALLS...
ST. CLOUD...WILLMAR...LITCHFIELD...OLIVIA
312 AM CST THU DEC 30 2010

...WINTER WEATHER ADVISORY NOW IN EFFECT UNTIL 9 PM CST THIS
EVENING...
...WINTER STORM WATCH REMAINS IN EFFECT FROM FRIDAY MORNING
THROUGH LATE FRIDAY NIGHT...

THE WINTER WEATHER ADVISORY IS NOW IN EFFECT UNTIL 9 PM CST THIS
EVENING. A WINTER STORM WATCH REMAINS IN EFFECT FROM FRIDAY
MORNING THROUGH LATE FRIDAY NIGHT. 

* TIMING...RAIN...FREEZING DRIZZLE OR LIGHT FREEZING RAIN WILL
  OCCASIONALLY MIX WITH SNOW TODAY. THERE WILL BE A LULL IN
  PRECIPITATION FROM LATE THIS EVENING INTO FRIDAY MORNING BEFORE
  MODERATE TO HEAVY SNOW RETURNS BY FRIDAY AFTERNOON.

* MAIN IMPACT...A TRACE TO 2 INCHES OF SNOW AND A THIN GLAZE OF
  ICE ACCUMULATION ARE POSSIBLE TODAY. 6 OR MORE INCHES OF SNOW IS
  POSSIBLE FROM FRIDAY THROUGH FRIDAY NIGHT.

* OTHER IMPACTS...THE COMBINATION OF SNOW AND ICE COULD MAKE FOR
  DIFFICULT TRAVEL AT TIMES TODAY. ALTHOUGH AIR TEMPERATURES MAY
  BE ABOVE FREEZING... GROUND TEMPERATURES NEAR OR BELOW FREEZING
  MAY CREATE UNANTICIPATED SLICK SPOTS. SNOW AND GUSTY NORTHWEST
  WINDS WILL DEVELOP FRIDAY... CREATING AREAS OF BLOWING AND
  DRIFTING SNOW.

PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...

A WINTER WEATHER ADVISORY MEANS THAT PERIODS OF SNOW...SLEET...OR
FREEZING RAIN WILL CAUSE TRAVEL DIFFICULTIES. BE PREPARED FOR
SLIPPERY ROADS AND LIMITED VISIBILITIES...AND USE CAUTION WHILE
DRIVING.

A WINTER STORM WATCH MEANS THERE IS A POTENTIAL FOR SIGNIFICANT
SNOW...SLEET...OR ICE ACCUMULATIONS THAT MAY IMPACT TRAVEL.
CONTINUE TO MONITOR THE LATEST FORECASTS.

&&

$$

MNZ044-045-050>052-059-066-301900-
/O.EXT.KMPX.WW.Y.0024.000000T0000Z-101231T0300Z/
MILLE LACS-KANABEC-BENTON-SHERBURNE-ISANTI-WRIGHT-MCLEOD-
INCLUDING THE CITIES OF...PRINCETON...MORA...FOLEY...ELK RIVER...
CAMBRIDGE...MONTICELLO...HUTCHINSON
312 AM CST THU DEC 30 2010

...WINTER WEATHER ADVISORY NOW IN EFFECT UNTIL 9 PM CST THIS
EVENING...

THE WINTER WEATHER ADVISORY IS NOW IN EFFECT UNTIL 9 PM CST THIS
EVENING. 

* TIMING...LIGHT RAIN... SLEET... FREEZING DRIZZLE OR LIGHT
  FREEZING RAIN ARE POSSIBLE AS TEMPERATURES HOVER CLOSE TO THE
  FREEZING MARK TODAY. THE FREEZING PRECIPITATION WILL BECOME
  MIXED WITH SNOW BY LATE AFTERNOON OR EARLY EVENING.

* MAIN IMPACT...A DUSTING TO AN INCH OF SNOW AND A THIN GLAZE OF
  INCH ICE ACCUMULATION ARE POSSIBLE TODAY.

* OTHER IMPACTS...THE WINTRY MIX OF PRECIPITATION COULD MAKE
  TRAVEL DIFFICULT AT TIMES TODAY. ALTHOUGH AIR TEMPERATURES MAY
  BE ABOVE FREEZING... GROUND TEMPERATURES NEAR OR BELOW FREEZING
  MAY CREATE UNANTICIPATED SLICK SPOTS.

PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...

A WINTER WEATHER ADVISORY MEANS THAT PERIODS OF SNOW...SLEET...OR
FREEZING RAIN WILL CAUSE TRAVEL DIFFICULTIES. BE PREPARED FOR
SLIPPERY ROADS AND LIMITED VISIBILITIES...AND USE CAUTION WHILE
DRIVING.

&&

$$

MNZ073-301900-
/O.CON.KMPX.WS.A.0009.101231T1500Z-110101T1200Z/
REDWOOD-
INCLUDING THE CITY OF...REDWOOD FALLS
312 AM CST THU DEC 30 2010

...WINTER STORM WATCH REMAINS IN EFFECT FROM FRIDAY MORNING
THROUGH LATE FRIDAY NIGHT...

A WINTER STORM WATCH REMAINS IN EFFECT FROM FRIDAY MORNING
THROUGH LATE FRIDAY NIGHT. 

* TIMING...PATCHY AREAS OF LIGHT RAIN... FREEZING DRIZZLE OR LIGHT
  FREEZING RAIN ARE POSSIBLE TODAY. HOWEVER... AFTER A BREAK IN
  PRECIPITATION TONIGHT... A MORE SIGNIFICANT STORM SYSTEM WILL
  BRING THE POSSIBILITY OF SIGNIFICANT SNOWFALL TO THE AREA FRIDAY
  THROUGH FRIDAY NIGHT.

* MAIN IMPACT...6 OR MORE INCHES OF SNOW IS POSSIBLE FROM FRIDAY
  THROUGH FRIDAY NIGHT.

* OTHER IMPACTS...GUSTY NORTHWEST WINDS WILL DEVELOP FRIDAY
  AFTERNOON AND PERSIST THROUGH FRIDAY NIGHT... WHICH COULD LEAD
  TO SIGNIFICANT BLOWING AND DRIFTING OF SNOW.

PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...

A WINTER STORM WATCH MEANS THERE IS A POTENTIAL FOR SIGNIFICANT
SNOW...SLEET...OR ICE ACCUMULATIONS THAT MAY IMPACT TRAVEL.
CONTINUE TO MONITOR THE LATEST FORECASTS.

&&

$$
798 
WWUS43 KMPX 301706
WSWMPX

URGENT - WINTER WEATHER MESSAGE
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE TWIN CITIES/CHANHASSEN MN
1106 AM CST THU DEC 30 2010

...ROUND ONE BRINGING HEAVY SNOW THIS AFTERNOON AND EVENING TO
WEST CENTRAL MINNESOTA WITH RAIN CHANGING TO SNOW ACROSS THE CENTRAL...
...ROUND TWO BRINGING MORE SNOW ESPECIALLY TO WEST CENTRAL AND
CENTRAL MINNESOTA AGAIN FRIDAY...

.SNOW IS EXPECTED TO DEVELOP RAPIDLY LATE THIS MORNING AND EARLY
AFTERNOON ACROSS MUCH OF WEST CENTRAL MINNESOTA FROM CANBY THEN
NORTH TO ALEXANDRIA AND STAPLES. A WINTER STORM WARNING IS BEING
ISSUED FOR THIS AREA UNTIL 9 PM THIS EVENING. BY THIS EVENING SNOW
TOTALS COULD BE IN THE SIX INCH RANGE ALONG WITH INCREASING NORTH
WINDS CAUSING BLOWING AND DRIFTING.

A WINTER WEATHER ADVISORY REMAINS IN EFFECT FOR MOST OF THE
REMAINDER OF CENTRAL MINNESOTA UNTIL 9 PM THIS EVENING. RAIN WILL
CHANGE TO A PERIOD OF SLEET AND THEN SNOW ACROSS THE REMAINDER OF
CENTRAL AND WEST CENTRAL MINNESOTA BY MID AFTERNOON. A BAND OF 2 TO
5 INCHES OF SNOW IS POSSIBLE IN AREAS SUCH AS LITTLE FALLS...SAUK
CENTER...WILLMAR AND MONTEVIDEO. THE MIXED PRECIPITATION WILL
CHANGE TO MAINLY SNOW BY LATE AFTERNOON IN MORA...CAMBRIDGE...
HUTCHINSON...AND OLIVIA. ONE TO PERHAPS 3 INCHES OF SNOW MAY
ACCUMULATE BY EVENING IN THESE AREAS.

THE PRECIPITATION WILL DIMINISH LATE EVENING AS A POCKET OF DRY
AIR BRIEFLY MOVES INTO THE AREA IN ADVANCE OF SECOND MORE POTENT
WINTER WEATHER SYSTEM WHICH WILL IMPACT THE REGION FROM FRIDAY
INTO SATURDAY MORNING.

THE SECOND ROUND OF WINTER WEATHER WILL ARRIVE BY EARLY FRIDAY
AFTERNOON AND PERSIST INTO EARLY SATURDAY. A WINTER STORM WATCH
REMAINS IN EFFECT FOR WEST CENTRAL MINNESOTA AND PORTIONS OF
CENTRAL MINNESOTA FOR THE POTENTIAL OF SIGNIFICANT SNOW
ACCUMULATIONS WITH THIS SECOND WEATHER SYSTEM. COLDER
TEMPERATURES WILL FILTER BACK INTO THE WATCH AREA BEFORE THE BULK
OF THE PRECIPITATION ARRIVES ON FRIDAY... ALTHOUGH SOME LINGERING
LIGHT FREEZING DRIZZLE COULD OCCUR FRIDAY MORNING BEFORE SNOW
ARRIVES. MODERATE TO HEAVY SNOW WILL BE POSSIBLE FRIDAY AFTERNOON
INTO FRIDAY NIGHT OVER MUCH OF WESTERN MINNESOTA. THERE IS THE
POTENTIAL FOR A SWATH OF SNOW BETWEEN 6 AND 10 INCHES IN THE WATCH
AREA. IN ADDITION TO THE SNOW... BLUSTERY NORTHWEST WINDS COULD
CREATE AREAS OF BLOWING AND DRIFTING SNOW. THE ACCUMULATING SNOW
IS EXPECTED TO MOVE OUT FAIRLY QUICKLY SATURDAY MORNING... BUT
WINDS WILL REMAIN GUSTY.

MNZ041-047-048-055-310115-
/O.UPG.KMPX.WW.Y.0024.000000T0000Z-101231T0300Z/
/O.NEW.KMPX.WS.W.0010.101230T1706Z-101231T0300Z/
/O.CON.KMPX.WS.A.0009.101231T1500Z-110101T1800Z/
DOUGLAS-STEVENS-POPE-SWIFT-
INCLUDING THE CITIES OF...ALEXANDRIA...MORRIS...GLENWOOD...BENSON
1106 AM CST THU DEC 30 2010

...WINTER STORM WARNING IN EFFECT UNTIL 9 PM CST THIS EVENING...
...WINTER STORM WATCH REMAINS IN EFFECT FROM FRIDAY MORNING
THROUGH SATURDAY MORNING...

THE NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE IN TWIN CITIES/CHANHASSEN HAS ISSUED
A WINTER STORM WARNING FOR HEAVY SNOW WHICH IS IN EFFECT UNTIL 9
PM CST THIS EVENING. THE WINTER WEATHER ADVISORY IS NO LONGER IN
EFFECT. A WINTER STORM WATCH ALSO REMAINS IN EFFECT FROM FRIDAY
MORNING THROUGH SATURDAY MORNING.


* TIMING...RAIN AND SLEET WILL QUICKLY CHANGE TO HEAVY SNOW IN THE
  LATE MORNING AND EARLY AFTERNOON HOURS. SNOW WILL DIMINISH BY
  LATE EVENING WITH HEAVY SNOW MAKING A RETURN ON FRIDAY.

* MAIN IMPACT...AROUND 6 INCHES OF SNOW AND UP TO A TENTH OF AN
  INCH OF ICE ACCUMULATION ARE POSSIBLE TODAY THROUGH THIS
  EVENING. 6 TO 10 INCHES OF SNOW IS POSSIBLE FROM FRIDAY THROUGH
  EARLY SATURDAY... PARTICULARLY NORTHWEST OF A LINE FROM APPLETON
  TO LONG PRAIRIE.

* OTHER IMPACTS...THE COMBINATION OF SNOW AND ICE COULD MAKE FOR
  DIFFICULT TRAVEL AT TIMES TODAY. ALSO...INCREASING NORTH WINDS
  THIS AFTERNOON MAY CAUSE BLOWING AND DRIFTING. GUSTY NORTHWEST
  WINDS MAY AGAIN CAUSE BLOWING AND DRIFTING SNOW FRIDAY THROUGH
  EARLY SATURDAY.

PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...
A WINTER STORM WARNING MEANS SIGNIFICANT AMOUNTS OF
SNOW...SLEET...AND ICE ARE EXPECTED OR OCCURRING. STRONG WINDS ARE
ALSO POSSIBLE.  THIS WILL MAKE TRAVEL VERY HAZARDOUS OR
IMPOSSIBLE.

A WINTER STORM WATCH MEANS THERE IS A POTENTIAL FOR SIGNIFICANT
SNOW...SLEET...OR ICE ACCUMULATIONS THAT MAY IMPACT TRAVEL.
CONTINUE TO MONITOR THE LATEST FORECASTS.

&&

$$

MNZ042-310115-
/O.UPG.KMPX.WW.Y.0024.000000T0000Z-101231T0300Z/
/O.NEW.KMPX.WS.W.0010.101230T1706Z-101231T0300Z/
/O.CON.KMPX.WS.A.0009.101231T1500Z-110101T1200Z/
TODD-
INCLUDING THE CITY OF...LONG PRAIRIE
1106 AM CST THU DEC 30 2010

...WINTER STORM WARNING IN EFFECT UNTIL 9 PM CST THIS EVENING...
...WINTER STORM WATCH REMAINS IN EFFECT FROM FRIDAY MORNING
THROUGH LATE FRIDAY NIGHT...

THE NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE IN TWIN CITIES/CHANHASSEN HAS ISSUED
A WINTER STORM WARNING FOR HEAVY SNOW WHICH IS IN EFFECT UNTIL 9
PM CST THIS EVENING. THE WINTER WEATHER ADVISORY IS NO LONGER IN
EFFECT. A WINTER STORM WATCH REMAINS IN EFFECT FROM FRIDAY MORNING
THROUGH LATE FRIDAY NIGHT.

* TIMING...RAIN AND SLEET WILL CHANGE TO HEAVY SNOW DURING THE
  EARLY AFTERNOON AND PERSIST INTO THE EVENING. THERE WILL BE A
  LULL IN PRECIPITATION FROM LATE THIS EVENING INTO FRIDAY MORNING
  BEFORE MODERATE TO HEAVY SNOW RETURNS BY FRIDAY AFTERNOON.

* MAIN IMPACT...AROUND 6 INCHES OF SNOW AND A THIN GLAZE OF ICE
  ACCUMULATION ARE POSSIBLE TODAY AND THIS EVENING. ANOTHER 6 OR
  MORE INCHES OF SNOW IS POSSIBLE FROM FRIDAY THROUGH FRIDAY
  NIGHT.

* OTHER IMPACTS...THE COMBINATION OF SNOW AND ICE COULD MAKE FOR
  DIFFICULT TRAVEL AT TIMES TODAY. ALTHOUGH AIR TEMPERATURES MAY
  BE ABOVE FREEZING... GROUND TEMPERATURES NEAR OR BELOW FREEZING
  MAY CREATE UNANTICIPATED SLICK SPOTS. SNOW AND GUSTY NORTHWEST
  WINDS WILL DEVELOP FRIDAY... CREATING AREAS OF BLOWING AND
  DRIFTING SNOW


PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...
A WINTER STORM WARNING MEANS SIGNIFICANT AMOUNTS OF
SNOW...SLEET...AND ICE ARE EXPECTED OR OCCURRING. STRONG WINDS ARE
ALSO POSSIBLE.  THIS WILL MAKE TRAVEL VERY HAZARDOUS OR
IMPOSSIBLE.

A WINTER STORM WATCH MEANS THERE IS A POTENTIAL FOR SIGNIFICANT
SNOW...SLEET...OR ICE ACCUMULATIONS THAT MAY IMPACT TRAVEL.
CONTINUE TO MONITOR THE LATEST FORECASTS.

&&

$$

MNZ043-049-057-058-065-310115-
/O.CON.KMPX.WW.Y.0024.000000T0000Z-101231T0300Z/
/O.CON.KMPX.WS.A.0009.101231T1500Z-110101T1200Z/
MORRISON-STEARNS-KANDIYOHI-MEEKER-RENVILLE-
INCLUDING THE CITIES OF...LITTLE FALLS...ST. CLOUD...WILLMAR...
LITCHFIELD...OLIVIA
1106 AM CST THU DEC 30 2010

...WINTER WEATHER ADVISORY REMAINS IN EFFECT UNTIL 9 PM CST THIS
EVENING...
...WINTER STORM WATCH REMAINS IN EFFECT FROM FRIDAY MORNING
THROUGH LATE FRIDAY NIGHT...

A WINTER WEATHER ADVISORY REMAINS IN EFFECT UNTIL 9 PM CST THIS
EVENING. A WINTER STORM WATCH REMAINS IN EFFECT FROM FRIDAY
MORNING THROUGH LATE FRIDAY NIGHT. 

* TIMING...RAIN...FREEZING DRIZZLE OR LIGHT FREEZING RAIN WILL
  CHANGE TO WET SNOW THIS AFTERNOON THERE WILL BE A LULL IN
  PRECIPITATION FROM LATE THIS EVENING INTO FRIDAY MORNING BEFORE
  MODERATE TO HEAVY SNOW RETURNS BY FRIDAY AFTERNOON.

* MAIN IMPACT...1 TO 2 INCHES OF SNOW AND A THIN GLAZE OF ICE
  ACCUMULATION ARE POSSIBLE TODAY. 6 OR MORE INCHES OF SNOW IS
  POSSIBLE FROM FRIDAY THROUGH FRIDAY NIGHT.

* OTHER IMPACTS...THE COMBINATION OF SNOW AND ICE COULD MAKE FOR 
  DIFFICULT TRAVEL AT TIMES TODAY. ALTHOUGH AIR TEMPERATURES MAY 
  BE ABOVE FREEZING... GROUND TEMPERATURES NEAR OR BELOW 
  FREEZING MAY CREATE UNANTICIPATED SLICK SPOTS. SNOW AND GUSTY 
  NORTHWEST WINDS WILL DEVELOP FRIDAY... CREATING AREAS OF 
  BLOWING AND DRIFTING SNOW. 

PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...

A WINTER WEATHER ADVISORY MEANS THAT PERIODS OF SNOW...SLEET...OR
FREEZING RAIN WILL CAUSE TRAVEL DIFFICULTIES. BE PREPARED FOR
SLIPPERY ROADS AND LIMITED VISIBILITIES...AND USE CAUTION WHILE
DRIVING.

A WINTER STORM WATCH MEANS THERE IS A POTENTIAL FOR SIGNIFICANT
SNOW...SLEET...OR ICE ACCUMULATIONS THAT MAY IMPACT TRAVEL.
CONTINUE TO MONITOR THE LATEST FORECASTS.

&&

$$

MNZ054-056-064-310115-
/O.CON.KMPX.WW.Y.0024.000000T0000Z-101231T0300Z/
/O.CON.KMPX.WS.A.0009.101231T1500Z-110101T1800Z/
LAC QUI PARLE-CHIPPEWA-YELLOW MEDICINE-
INCLUDING THE CITIES OF...MADISON...MONTEVIDEO...GRANITE FALLS
1106 AM CST THU DEC 30 2010

...WINTER WEATHER ADVISORY REMAINS IN EFFECT UNTIL 9 PM CST THIS
EVENING...
...WINTER STORM WATCH REMAINS IN EFFECT FROM FRIDAY MORNING
THROUGH SATURDAY MORNING...

A WINTER WEATHER ADVISORY REMAINS IN EFFECT UNTIL 9 PM CST THIS
EVENING. A WINTER STORM WATCH REMAINS IN EFFECT FROM FRIDAY
MORNING THROUGH SATURDAY MORNING. 

* TIMING...RAIN...FREEZING DRIZZLE OR LIGHT FREEZING RAIN WILL
  CHANGE TO SNOW THIS AFTERNOON. THERE WILL BE A LULL IN
  PRECIPITATION FROM LATE THIS EVENING INTO FRIDAY MORNING BEFORE
  MODERATE TO HEAVY SNOW RETURNS BY FRIDAY AFTERNOON.

* MAIN IMPACT...1 TO 4 INCHES OF SNOW AND UP TO A TENTH OF AN 
  INCH OF ICE ACCUMULATION ARE POSSIBLE TODAY THROUGH THIS 
  EVENING. 6 TO 10 INCHES OF SNOW IS POSSIBLE FROM FRIDAY 
  THROUGH EARLY SATURDAY... PARTICULARLY NORTHWEST OF A LINE 
  FROM APPLETON TO LONG PRAIRIE. 

* OTHER IMPACTS...THE COMBINATION OF SNOW AND ICE COULD MAKE FOR 
  DIFFICULT TRAVEL AT TIMES TODAY. ALTHOUGH AIR TEMPERATURES MAY 
  BE ABOVE FREEZING... GROUND TEMPERATURES NEAR OR BELOW 
  FREEZING MAY CREATE UNANTICIPATED SLICK SPOTS. ADDITIONAL SNOW 
  ALONG WITH GUSTY NORTHWEST WINDS MAY CAUSE BLOWING AND 
  DRIFTING SNOW FRIDAY THROUGH EARLY SATURDAY. 

PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...

A WINTER WEATHER ADVISORY MEANS THAT PERIODS OF SNOW...SLEET...OR
FREEZING RAIN WILL CAUSE TRAVEL DIFFICULTIES. BE PREPARED FOR
SLIPPERY ROADS AND LIMITED VISIBILITIES...AND USE CAUTION WHILE
DRIVING.

A WINTER STORM WATCH MEANS THERE IS A POTENTIAL FOR SIGNIFICANT
SNOW...SLEET...OR ICE ACCUMULATIONS THAT MAY IMPACT TRAVEL.
CONTINUE TO MONITOR THE LATEST FORECASTS.

&&

$$

MNZ044-045-050>052-059-066-310115-
/O.CON.KMPX.WW.Y.0024.000000T0000Z-101231T0300Z/
MILLE LACS-KANABEC-BENTON-SHERBURNE-ISANTI-WRIGHT-MCLEOD-
INCLUDING THE CITIES OF...PRINCETON...MORA...FOLEY...ELK RIVER...
CAMBRIDGE...MONTICELLO...HUTCHINSON
1106 AM CST THU DEC 30 2010

...WINTER WEATHER ADVISORY REMAINS IN EFFECT UNTIL 9 PM CST THIS
EVENING...

A WINTER WEATHER ADVISORY REMAINS IN EFFECT UNTIL 9 PM CST THIS
EVENING. 

* TIMING...LIGHT RAIN... SLEET... FREEZING DRIZZLE OR LIGHT
  FREEZING RAIN ARE POSSIBLE AS TEMPERATURES HOVER CLOSE TO THE
  FREEZING MARK TODAY. THE FREEZING PRECIPITATION WILL CHANGE TO
  MAINLY SNOW BY EVENING.

* MAIN IMPACT...A DUSTING TO AN INCH OF SNOW AND A THIN GLAZE OF 
  INCH ICE ACCUMULATION ARE POSSIBLE TODAY. 

* OTHER IMPACTS...THE WINTRY MIX OF PRECIPITATION COULD MAKE 
  TRAVEL DIFFICULT AT TIMES TODAY. ALTHOUGH AIR TEMPERATURES MAY 
  BE ABOVE FREEZING... GROUND TEMPERATURES NEAR OR BELOW 
  FREEZING MAY CREATE UNANTICIPATED SLICK SPOTS. 

PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...

A WINTER WEATHER ADVISORY MEANS THAT PERIODS OF SNOW...SLEET...OR
FREEZING RAIN WILL CAUSE TRAVEL DIFFICULTIES. BE PREPARED FOR
SLIPPERY ROADS AND LIMITED VISIBILITIES...AND USE CAUTION WHILE
DRIVING.

&&

$$

MNZ073-310115-
/O.CON.KMPX.WS.A.0009.101231T1500Z-110101T1200Z/
REDWOOD-
INCLUDING THE CITY OF...REDWOOD FALLS
1106 AM CST THU DEC 30 2010

...WINTER STORM WATCH REMAINS IN EFFECT FROM FRIDAY MORNING
THROUGH LATE FRIDAY NIGHT...

A WINTER STORM WATCH REMAINS IN EFFECT FROM FRIDAY MORNING
THROUGH LATE FRIDAY NIGHT. 

* TIMING...AREAS OF LIGHT RAIN...FREEZING DRIZZLE OR LIGHT
  FREEZING RAIN MAY MIX WITH WET SNOW LATE AFTERNOON AND CONTINUE
  THIS EVENING. HOWEVER... AFTER A BREAK IN PRECIPITATION
  TONIGHT... A MORE SIGNIFICANT STORM SYSTEM WILL BRING THE
  POSSIBILITY OF SIGNIFICANT SNOWFALL TO THE AREA FRIDAY THROUGH
  FRIDAY NIGHT.

* MAIN IMPACT...LESS THAN IN INCH OF SNOW TODAY. 6 OR MORE INCHES
  OF SNOW IS POSSIBLE FROM FRIDAY THROUGH FRIDAY NIGHT.

* OTHER IMPACTS...GUSTY NORTHWEST WINDS WILL DEVELOP FRIDAY 
  AFTERNOON AND PERSIST THROUGH FRIDAY NIGHT... WHICH COULD LEAD 
  TO SIGNIFICANT BLOWING AND DRIFTING OF SNOW. 

PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...

A WINTER STORM WATCH MEANS THERE IS A POTENTIAL FOR SIGNIFICANT
SNOW...SLEET...OR ICE ACCUMULATIONS THAT MAY IMPACT TRAVEL.
CONTINUE TO MONITOR THE LATEST FORECASTS.

&&

$$
056 
WWUS43 KMPX 302053
WSWMPX

URGENT - WINTER WEATHER MESSAGE
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE TWIN CITIES/CHANHASSEN MN
253 PM CST THU DEC 30 2010

...WINTER STORM WARNINGS WEST CENTRAL MINNESOTA UNTIL MIDNIGHT
WITH ADVISORIES ACROSS MUCH OF THE CENTRAL...
...ANOTHER ROUND OF WINTER STORM WARNINGS FOR WEST CENTRAL INTO
CENTRAL MINNESOTA FRIDAY AND FRIDAY NIGHT...

.A QUICK BURST OF 5 TO 7 INCHES OF SNOW WILL ACCUMULATE IN WEST
CENTRAL MINNESOTA THIS AFTERNOON AND EVENING. THIS INCLUDES AREAS
WEST FROM STAPLES TO ALEXANDRIA TO BENSON. NORTH WINDS GUSTING TO
OVER 30 MPH MAY CAUSE NEAR BLIZZARD CONDITIONS NEAR THE SOUTH
DAKOTA BORDER IN THE MADISON AND CANBY AREAS. WINTER STORM
WARNINGS ARE POSTED IN THIS AREA. 

RAIN WILL MIX WITH SLEET OR FREEZING RAIN BEFORE CHANGING TO SNOW
THIS AFTERNOON AND EVENING ACROSS MUCH OF CENTRAL MINNESOTA. FROM 2 TO
4 INCHES OF SNOW MAY FALL FROM LITTLE FALLS TO WILLMAR TO
MONTEVIDEO. AN INCH OR SO OF SNOW IS POSSIBLE FROM MORA TO BUFFALO
TO HUTCHINSON. AS TEMPERATURES DROP THIS EVENING WET SURFACES WILL
FREEZE CAUSING ICE TO REFORM. WINTER WEATHER ADVISORIES ARE POSTED
IN THIS AREA.

THE MAIN PORTION OF THE WINTER STORM WILL LIFT OUT OF THE SOUTHERN
PLAINS ON FRIDAY. SNOW WILL SPREAD BACK INTO WEST CENTRAL AND
SOUTHWEST MINNESOTA BEFORE NOON AND ACROSS CENTRAL MINNESOTA IN
THE AFTERNOON. ANOTHER HALF FOOT OR BETTER OF SNOW IS LIKELY BY
SATURDAY MORNING IN AREAS WEST FROM LITTLE FALLS TO LITCHFIELD TO
REDWOOD FALLS. INCREASING NORTHWEST WINDS FRIDAY AFTERNOON AND
EVENING WILL ALSO LEAD TO BLOWING AND DRIFTING. WINTER STORM
WARNINGS WILL BEGIN AGAIN AT 9 AM FRIDAY.

1 TO 4 INCHES OF SNOW SHOULD ACCUMULATE ACROSS THE REMAINDER OF
SOUTHERN AND EAST CENTRAL MINNESOTA FRIDAY AFTERNOON AND NIGHT. IT
COULD BEGIN WITH A PERIOD OF SLEET. WINTER WEATHER ADVISORIES WILL
BEGIN AT NOON FRIDAY.

WESTERN WISCONSIN WILL SEE A MIX OF FREEZING RAIN AND SLEET ON
FRIDAY WHICH WILL TURN TO LIGHT SNOW FRIDAY AFTERNOON AND EVENING.
WINTER WEATHER ADVISORIES WILL BEGIN AT NOON FRIDAY.

MNZ054-064-310500-
/O.UPG.KMPX.WW.Y.0024.000000T0000Z-101231T0300Z/
/O.UPG.KMPX.WS.A.0009.101231T1500Z-110101T1800Z/
/O.NEW.KMPX.WS.W.0011.101231T1500Z-110101T1800Z/
/O.EXB.KMPX.WS.W.0010.000000T0000Z-101231T0600Z/
LAC QUI PARLE-YELLOW MEDICINE-
INCLUDING THE CITIES OF...MADISON...GRANITE FALLS
253 PM CST THU DEC 30 2010

...WINTER STORM WARNING IN EFFECT UNTIL MIDNIGHT CST TONIGHT...
...WINTER STORM WARNING IN EFFECT FROM 9 AM FRIDAY TO NOON CST
SATURDAY...

THE NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE IN TWIN CITIES/CHANHASSEN HAS ISSUED
A WINTER STORM WARNING FOR HEAVY SNOW AND BLOWING SNOW...WHICH IS
IN EFFECT UNTIL MIDNIGHT CST TONIGHT. ANOTHER WINTER STORM
WARNING HAS ALSO BEEN ISSUED FROM 9 AM FRIDAY TO NOON CST
SATURDAY. THE WINTER WEATHER ADVISORY IS NO LONGER IN EFFECT. THE
WINTER STORM WATCH IS NO LONGER IN EFFECT.

* TIMING...SNOW AND BLOWING SNOW WILL CONTINUE THROUGH THE EVENING
  BEFORE TAPERING OFF. HEAVY SNOW BEGINNING AGAIN BY NOON FRIDAY.

* MAIN IMPACT...4 TO 6 INCHES OF SNOW WITH BLOWING SNOW CAUSING
  NEAR BLIZZARD CONDITIONS AT TIMES. ANOTHER 6 INCHES POSSIBLE
  FRIDAY AND FRIDAY HIGH.

* OTHER IMPACTS...THE COMBINATION OF SNOW AND BLOWING SNOW WILL
  MAKE FOR DIFFICULT TRAVEL AT TIMES.


PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...

A WINTER STORM WARNING FOR HEAVY SNOW MEANS SEVERE WINTER WEATHER
CONDITIONS ARE EXPECTED OR OCCURRING. SIGNIFICANT AMOUNTS OF SNOW
ARE FORECAST THAT WILL MAKE TRAVEL DANGEROUS. ONLY TRAVEL IN AN
EMERGENCY. IF YOU MUST TRAVEL...KEEP AN EXTRA
FLASHLIGHT...FOOD...AND WATER IN YOUR VEHICLE IN CASE OF AN
EMERGENCY.

&&

$$

MNZ041-047-048-055-310500-
/O.UPG.KMPX.WS.A.0009.101231T1500Z-110101T1800Z/
/O.NEW.KMPX.WS.W.0011.101231T1500Z-110101T1800Z/
/O.EXT.KMPX.WS.W.0010.000000T0000Z-101231T0600Z/
DOUGLAS-STEVENS-POPE-SWIFT-
INCLUDING THE CITIES OF...ALEXANDRIA...MORRIS...GLENWOOD...BENSON
253 PM CST THU DEC 30 2010

...WINTER STORM WARNING NOW IN EFFECT UNTIL MIDNIGHT CST
TONIGHT...
...WINTER STORM WARNING IN EFFECT FROM 9 AM FRIDAY TO NOON CST
SATURDAY...

THE NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE IN TWIN CITIES/CHANHASSEN HAS ISSUED
A WINTER STORM WARNING FOR |SNOW AND BLOWING SNOW WHICH IS IN
EFFECT FROM 9 AM FRIDAY TO NOON CST SATURDAY. THE WINTER STORM
WARNING IS NOW IN EFFECT UNTIL MIDNIGHT CST TONIGHT. THE WINTER
STORM WATCH IS NO LONGER IN EFFECT.

* TIMING...SNOW AND BLOWING SNOW WILL CONTINUE THROUGH THE EVENING
  BEFORE TAPERING OFF. HEAVY SNOW BEGINNING AGAIN BY NOON FRIDAY.

* MAIN IMPACT...5 TO 8 INCHES OF SNOW WITH BLOWING SNOW CAUSING
  POOR VISIBILITY. ANOTHER 6 INCHES POSSIBLE FRIDAY AND FRIDAY
  HIGH.

* OTHER IMPACTS...THE COMBINATION OF SNOW BLOWING SNOW COULD MAKE
  FOR DIFFICULT TRAVEL. 

PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS... A WINTER STORM WARNING
MEANS SIGNIFICANT AMOUNTS OF SNOW...SLEET...AND ICE ARE EXPECTED
OR OCCURRING. STRONG WINDS ARE ALSO POSSIBLE.  THIS WILL MAKE
TRAVEL VERY HAZARDOUS OR IMPOSSIBLE.

&&

$$

MNZ042-310500-
/O.UPG.KMPX.WS.A.0009.101231T1500Z-110101T1200Z/
/O.NEW.KMPX.WS.W.0011.101231T1500Z-110101T1800Z/
/O.EXT.KMPX.WS.W.0010.000000T0000Z-101231T0600Z/
TODD-
INCLUDING THE CITY OF...LONG PRAIRIE
253 PM CST THU DEC 30 2010

...WINTER STORM WARNING NOW IN EFFECT UNTIL MIDNIGHT CST
TONIGHT...
...WINTER STORM WARNING IN EFFECT FROM 9 AM FRIDAY TO NOON CST
SATURDAY...

THE NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE IN TWIN CITIES/CHANHASSEN HAS ISSUED
A WINTER STORM WARNING FOR HEAVY SNOW WHICH IS IN EFFECT FROM 9 AM
FRIDAY TO NOON CST SATURDAY. THE WINTER STORM WARNING IS NOW IN
EFFECT UNTIL MIDNIGHT CST TONIGHT. THE WINTER STORM WATCH IS NO
LONGER IN EFFECT.

* TIMING...SNOW AND BLOWING SNOW WILL CONTINUE THROUGH THE EVENING
  BEFORE TAPERING OFF. HEAVY SNOW BEGINNING AGAIN BY NOON FRIDAY. 

* MAIN IMPACT...4 TO 6 INCHES OF SNOW AND A THIN GLAZE OF ICE
  ACCUMULATION ARE POSSIBLE TODAY AND THIS EVENING. ANOTHER 6 OR
  MORE INCHES OF SNOW IS POSSIBLE FROM FRIDAY THROUGH FRIDAY
  NIGHT.

* OTHER IMPACTS...THE COMBINATION OF SNOW AND ICE COULD MAKE FOR
  DIFFICULT TRAVEL. 

PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS... A WINTER STORM WARNING
MEANS SIGNIFICANT AMOUNTS OF SNOW...SLEET...AND ICE ARE EXPECTED
OR OCCURRING. STRONG WINDS ARE ALSO POSSIBLE.  THIS WILL MAKE
TRAVEL VERY HAZARDOUS OR IMPOSSIBLE.

&&

$$

MNZ043-049-057-058-065-310500-
/O.UPG.KMPX.WS.A.0009.101231T1500Z-110101T1200Z/
/O.NEW.KMPX.WS.W.0011.101231T1500Z-110101T1800Z/
/O.EXT.KMPX.WW.Y.0024.000000T0000Z-101231T0600Z/
MORRISON-STEARNS-KANDIYOHI-MEEKER-RENVILLE-
INCLUDING THE CITIES OF...LITTLE FALLS...ST. CLOUD...WILLMAR...
LITCHFIELD...OLIVIA
253 PM CST THU DEC 30 2010

...WINTER WEATHER ADVISORY NOW IN EFFECT UNTIL MIDNIGHT CST
TONIGHT...
...WINTER STORM WARNING IN EFFECT FROM 9 AM FRIDAY TO NOON CST
SATURDAY...


THE WINTER WEATHER ADVISORY IS NOW IN EFFECT UNTIL MIDNIGHT CST
TONIGHT. THE NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE IN TWIN CITIES/CHANHASSEN
HAS ISSUED A WINTER STORM WARNING FOR SNOW WHICH IS IN EFFECT
FROM 9 AM FRIDAY TO NOON CST SATURDAY. THE WINTER STORM WATCH IS
NO LONGER IN EFFECT.

* TIMING...RAIN...FREEZING FREEZING RAIN...AND SLEET WILL CHANGE
  TO WET SNOW LATE HIS AFTERNOON. THERE WILL BE A LULL IN
  PRECIPITATION FROM LATE THIS EVENING INTO FRIDAY MORNING BEFORE
  MODERATE TO HEAVY SNOW RETURNS BY FRIDAY AFTERNOON.

* MAIN IMPACT...1 TO 2 INCHES OF SNOW AND A THIN GLAZE OF ICE
  ACCUMULATION ARE POSSIBLE THROUGH THIS EVENING. 3 TO 6 INCHES
  OF SNOW IS POSSIBLE FROM FRIDAY THROUGH FRIDAY NIGHT.

* OTHER IMPACTS...THE COMBINATION OF SNOW AND ICE COULD MAKE FOR
  DIFFICULT TRAVEL AT TIMES TODAY. ALTHOUGH AIR TEMPERATURES MAY
  BE ABOVE FREEZING... GROUND TEMPERATURES NEAR OR BELOW FREEZING
  MAY CREATE UNANTICIPATED SLICK SPOTS. SNOW AND GUSTY NORTHWEST
  WINDS WILL DEVELOP FRIDAY... CREATING AREAS OF BLOWING AND
  DRIFTING SNOW.

PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...

A WINTER WEATHER ADVISORY MEANS THAT PERIODS OF SNOW AND ICE COULD
MAKE FOR DIFFICULT TRAVEL.

&&

$$

MNZ056-310500-
/O.UPG.KMPX.WS.A.0009.101231T1500Z-110101T1800Z/
/O.NEW.KMPX.WS.W.0011.101231T1500Z-110101T1800Z/
/O.EXT.KMPX.WW.Y.0024.000000T0000Z-101231T0600Z/
CHIPPEWA-
INCLUDING THE CITY OF...MONTEVIDEO
253 PM CST THU DEC 30 2010

...WINTER WEATHER ADVISORY NOW IN EFFECT UNTIL MIDNIGHT CST
TONIGHT...
...WINTER STORM WARNING IN EFFECT FROM 9 AM FRIDAY TO NOON CST
SATURDAY...

THE WINTER WEATHER ADVISORY IS NOW IN EFFECT UNTIL MIDNIGHT CST
TONIGHT. THE WINTER STORM WATCH IS NO LONGER IN EFFECT. THE
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE IN TWIN CITIES/CHANHASSEN HAS ISSUED A
WINTER STORM WARNING FOR SNOW AND BLOWING SNOW...WHICH IS IN
EFFECT FROM 9 AM FRIDAY TO NOON CST SATURDAY. 

* TIMING...RAIN WILL CHANGE TO WET SNOW THIS AFTERNOON...BEFORE
  ENDING LATE THIS EVENING. A PERIOD OF SLEET IS POSSIBLE. SNOW
  WILL BEGIN AGAIN AROUND NOON FRIDAY.

* MAIN IMPACT...1 TO 4 INCHES OF SNOW AND UP TO A TENTH OF AN INCH
  OF ICE ACCUMULATION ARE POSSIBLE TODAY THROUGH THIS EVENING. 6
  INCHES OF SNOW IS POSSIBLE FROM FRIDAY THROUGH EARLY SATURDAY..

* OTHER IMPACTS...THE COMBINATION OF SNOW AND ICE COULD MAKE FOR
  DIFFICULT TRAVEL AT TIMES TODAY. ADDITIONAL SNOW ALONG WITH
  GUSTY NORTHWEST WINDS MAY CAUSE BLOWING AND DRIFTING SNOW FRIDAY
  THROUGH EARLY SATURDAY.


PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...
A WINTER STORM WARNING MEANS SIGNIFICANT AMOUNTS OF
SNOW...SLEET...AND ICE ARE EXPECTED OR OCCURRING. STRONG WINDS ARE
ALSO POSSIBLE. THIS WILL MAKE TRAVEL VERY HAZARDOUS OR IMPOSSIBLE.


&&

$$

MNZ073-310500-
/O.UPG.KMPX.WS.A.0009.101231T1500Z-110101T1200Z/
/O.NEW.KMPX.WS.W.0011.101231T1500Z-110101T1800Z/
REDWOOD-
INCLUDING THE CITY OF...REDWOOD FALLS
253 PM CST THU DEC 30 2010

...WINTER STORM WARNING IN EFFECT FROM 9 AM FRIDAY TO NOON CST
SATURDAY...

THE NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE IN TWIN CITIES/CHANHASSEN HAS ISSUED
A WINTER STORM WARNING FOR HEAVY SNOW...WHICH IS IN EFFECT FROM 9
AM FRIDAY TO NOON CST SATURDAY. THE WINTER STORM WATCH IS NO
LONGER IN EFFECT.

* TIMING...HEAVY SNOW BEGINNING LATE FRIDAY MORNING AND
  CONTINUING THROUGH SATURDAY NIGHT. BLOWING SNOW DEVELOPING
  FRIDAY EVENING.

* MAIN IMPACT...LESS THAN AN INCH OF SNOW TODAY. 6 OR MORE INCHES
  OF SNOW IS POSSIBLE FROM FRIDAY THROUGH FRIDAY NIGHT.

* OTHER IMPACTS...GUSTY NORTHWEST WINDS WILL DEVELOP FRIDAY
  AFTERNOON AND PERSIST THROUGH FRIDAY NIGHT... WHICH COULD LEAD
  TO SIGNIFICANT BLOWING AND DRIFTING OF SNOW

PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...

A WINTER STORM WARNING MEANS SIGNIFICANT AMOUNTS OF
SNOW...SLEET...AND ICE ARE EXPECTED OR OCCURRING. STRONG WINDS ARE
ALSO POSSIBLE. THIS WILL MAKE TRAVEL VERY HAZARDOUS OR IMPOSSIBLE.

&&

$$

MNZ044-045-050>052-059-066-310500-
/O.NEW.KMPX.WW.Y.0025.101231T1800Z-110101T1200Z/
/O.EXT.KMPX.WW.Y.0024.000000T0000Z-101231T0600Z/
MILLE LACS-KANABEC-BENTON-SHERBURNE-ISANTI-WRIGHT-MCLEOD-
INCLUDING THE CITIES OF...PRINCETON...MORA...FOLEY...ELK RIVER...
CAMBRIDGE...MONTICELLO...HUTCHINSON
253 PM CST THU DEC 30 2010

...WINTER WEATHER ADVISORY NOW IN EFFECT UNTIL MIDNIGHT CST
TONIGHT...
...WINTER WEATHER ADVISORY IN EFFECT FROM NOON FRIDAY TO 6 AM CST
SATURDAY...

THE NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE IN THE TWIN CITIES/CHANHASSEN HAS
ISSUED A WINTER WEATHER ADVISORY FOR SNOW...WHICH IS IN EFFECT FROM
NOON FRIDAY TO 6 AM CST SATURDAY. THE WINTER WEATHER ADVISORY IS
NOW IN EFFECT UNTIL MIDNIGHT CST TONIGHT.

* TIMING...LIGHT RAIN... SLEET...WILL CHANGE TO SNOW THIS EVENING.
 
* MAIN IMPACT...AN INCH OF SNOW AND A THIN GLAZE OF INCH ICE
  ACCUMULATION ARE POSSIBLE TODAY AND THIS EVENING.

* OTHER IMPACTS...THE WINTRY MIX OF PRECIPITATION COULD MAKE 
  TRAVEL DIFFICULT AT TIMES TODAY. ALTHOUGH AIR TEMPERATURES MAY 
  BE ABOVE FREEZING... GROUND TEMPERATURES NEAR OR BELOW 
  FREEZING MAY CREATE UNANTICIPATED SLICK SPOTS. 

PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...

A WINTER WEATHER ADVISORY MEANS THAT PERIODS OF SNOW...SLEET...OR
FREEZING RAIN WILL CAUSE TRAVEL DIFFICULTIES. BE PREPARED FOR
SLIPPERY ROADS AND LIMITED VISIBILITIES...AND USE CAUTION WHILE
DRIVING.

&&

$$

MNZ053-060>063-067>070-074>078-082>085-091>093-310500-
/O.NEW.KMPX.WW.Y.0025.101231T1800Z-110101T1200Z/
CHISAGO-HENNEPIN-ANOKA-RAMSEY-WASHINGTON-SIBLEY-CARVER-SCOTT-
DAKOTA-BROWN-NICOLLET-LE SUEUR-RICE-GOODHUE-WATONWAN-BLUE EARTH-
WASECA-STEELE-MARTIN-FARIBAULT-FREEBORN-
INCLUDING THE CITIES OF...CENTER CITY...MINNEAPOLIS...BLAINE...
ST. PAUL...STILLWATER...GAYLORD...CHASKA...SHAKOPEE...
BURNSVILLE...NEW ULM...ST. PETER...LE SUEUR...FARIBAULT...
RED WING...ST. JAMES...MANKATO...WASECA...OWATONNA...FAIRMONT...
BLUE EARTH...ALBERT LEA
253 PM CST THU DEC 30 2010

...WINTER WEATHER ADVISORY IN EFFECT FROM NOON FRIDAY TO 6 AM CST
SATURDAY...

THE NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE IN TWIN CITIES/CHANHASSEN HAS ISSUED
A WINTER WEATHER ADVISORY FOR SNOW AND SLEET...WHICH IS IN EFFECT
FROM NOON FRIDAY TO 6 AM CST SATURDAY.

* TIMING...SNOW BEGINNING BY NOON FRIDAY WHICH COULD BEGIN AS A
  PERIOD OF SLEET.

* MAIN IMPACT...ICY ROADS FOLLOWED BY AN INCH OR TWO OF SNOW.

PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...
A WINTER WEATHER ADVISORY MEANS THAT PERIODS OF SNOW...SLEET...OR
FREEZING RAIN WILL CAUSE TRAVEL DIFFICULTIES. BE PREPARED FOR
SLIPPERY ROADS AND LIMITED VISIBILITIES...AND USE CAUTION WHILE
DRIVING.

&&

$$

WIZ014>016-023>028-310500-
/O.NEW.KMPX.WW.Y.0025.101231T1800Z-110101T1200Z/
POLK-BARRON-RUSK-ST. CROIX-PIERCE-DUNN-PEPIN-CHIPPEWA-EAU CLAIRE-
INCLUDING THE CITIES OF...AMERY...BALSAM LAKE...RICE LAKE...
BARRON...LADYSMITH...HUDSON...NEW RICHMOND...RIVER FALLS...
PRESCOTT...MENOMONIE...BOYCEVILLE...DURAND...PEPIN...
CHIPPEWA FALLS...BLOOMER...EAU CLAIRE...ALTOONA
253 PM CST THU DEC 30 2010

...WINTER WEATHER ADVISORY IN EFFECT FROM NOON FRIDAY TO 6 AM CST
SATURDAY...

THE NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE IN TWIN CITIES/CHANHASSEN HAS ISSUED
A WINTER WEATHER ADVISORY FOR FREEZING RAIN...SLEET AND SNOW...WHICH
IS IN EFFECT FROM NOON FRIDAY TO 6 AM CST SATURDAY.

* TIMING...FREEZING RAIN AND SLEET BY NOON CHANGING TO SNOW.

* MAIN IMPACT...ICY ROADS FOLLOWED BY AN INCH OR SO OF SNOW.


PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...

A WINTER WEATHER ADVISORY MEANS THAT PERIODS OF SNOW...SLEET...OR
FREEZING RAIN WILL CAUSE TRAVEL DIFFICULTIES. BE PREPARED FOR
SLIPPERY ROADS AND LIMITED VISIBILITIES...AND USE CAUTION WHILE
DRIVING.


&&

$$

What forecasters said that day

The local office's own words before this winter storm watch went out, as it sent them, from the Iowa Environmental Mesonet's archive of National Weather Service text.

NWS Twin Cities, MN wrote its last area forecast discussion before this winter storm watch went out at Dec 29, 4:24 AM CST, 35 minutes earlier.

Area forecast discussion, Dec 29, 4:24 AM CST, 35 minutes before
AREA FORECAST DISCUSSION
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE TWIN CITIES/CHANHASSEN MN
424 AM CST WED DEC 29 2010

.DISCUSSION...

DEFINITELY A TRICKY FORECAST COMING UP. STILL RATHER QUIET TODAY
WITH A WEAK SHORT WAVE MOVING THROUGH IN THE WESTERLY FLOW BUT
WITH A GENERAL WARM ADVECTION PATTERN CONTINUING OVER THE AREA
THROUGH THE DAY. WITH INCREASED CLOUD COVER TODAY THE HIGH TEMPS
SHOULD BE SIMILAR TO YESTERDAY. THE SIGNIFICANT DIGGING TROUGH NOW
ENTERING THE NORTHWEST COAST WITH A 140 KNOT 250 MB JET FORECAST
LATER TODAY. THE FIRST WAVE FROM THE LARGE SCALE TROUGH IS STILL
FORECAST TO AFFECT THE AREA LATE TONIGHT AND THURSDAY. STRONG LOW
LEVEL MOISTURE TRANSPORT WILL AID IN LOW CLOUD AND FOG
DEVELOPMENT LATE TONIGHT WITH DRIZZLE DEVELOPING INITIALLY. THERE
IS UNCERTAINTY IN THE FREEZING PRECIP SCENARIO WITH TEMPS NOT
DROPPING THAT MUCH TONIGHT. THE SREF PLUMES OVER MUCH OF
SOUTHERN MN DO NOT SHOW MANY MEMBERS WITH FREEZING PRECIP.
A FEW OF THE ANALOGS FROM THE UPCOMING SYSTEM HAVE SHOWN FREEZING
PRECIP OVER SOUTHERN MN. THE INTERESTING PART OF THE ANALOGS WAS
THAT THE EXTENT OF THE SNOW COVER WAS MUCH LESS THAN WHAT WE HAVE
NOW. WILL STILL GO WITH THE MAIN PART OF THE FREEZING RAIN IN THE
MORNING...BUT BETTER FORCING OVER WEST CENTRAL MN COMBINED WITH
THE TROUGH/COLD FRONT PASSAGE...WILL ARGUE FOR A A CONTINUATION OF
MIXED PRECIP TYPE ALONG WITH A CHANGE OVER TO SNOW. WILL GO AHEAD
WITH A SMALL WINTER WEATHER ADVISORY LATE TONIGHT AND THURSDAY FOR A
START. THE FREEZING PRECIP POTENTIAL CAN BE EVALUATED FOR AREAS
FARTHER EAST LATER TODAY.

THE FIRST WAVE WILL EXIT THE AREA LATER THURSDAY WITH THE
TROUGH/COLD FRONT MOVING AT LEAST THROUGH MN LATE THURSDAY NIGHT. ALL
OF THE MODELS INCLUDING THE ECMWF...DROP SFC TEMPS CONSIDERABLY.
THIS WILL SET THE STAGE FOR POSSIBLY A BETTER CHANCE OF FREEZING
DRIZZLE LATE THURSDAY NIGHT AND FRIDAY MORNING AHEAD OF THE MAJOR
PART OF THE TROUGH LIFTING OUT WITH DECENT SFC CYCLOGENESIS. STILL
SOME UNCERTAINTY WITH THE ULTIMATE PATH OF THE LOW...BUT THE GFS
ENSEMBLE NOW HAS BETTER CLUSTER MOVING UP THROUGH SE MN. THIS
SHOULD GIVE A GOOD CHANCE OF HEAVY SNOW TO THE WEST PARS OF THE
CWA. WILL START WITH THE SAME AREA OF WEST CENTRAL IN A WATCH AS
THE THURSDAY SYSTEM...BUT WOULD NOT BE SURPRISED TO SEE A NEED FOR
EXPANSION LATE TODAY. LOOKS TO BE SOME WIND WITH THIS AS WELL WITH
A GOOD SIGNAL ON THE SREF WIND PROBS AND SOME DEEPENING. THE ABOVE
MENTIONED ANALOGS SHOW A GENERAL AREA OF WEST CENTRAL INTO
NORTHERN MN AS A MEAN HEAVY SNOW POTENTIAL.
&&

.AVIATION.../06Z TAF ISSUANCE/
OVERNIGHT...GENLY VFR WEATHER CONDS THROUGH MID AFTERNOON WEDNESDAY.
MID AND HIGH CLOUDS PREVAILING OVER THE TAF SITES. STRONG TO
MODERATE SOUTHERLY LOW LEVEL AIRFLOW AHEAD OF LOW PRESSURE AREA OVER
THE WESTERN CONUS...WILL MOVE EAST OVER THE ROCKIES DURING THE DAY
ON WEDNESDAY.  SFC TEMPS ARE EXPECTED TO WARM WELL INTO THE 30S AND
40S OVER THE BARE FIELDS ADJACENT TO DEEP SNOW PACK OVER IOWA AND
NORTHEAST SOUTH DAKOTA. MOISTURE FROM THE MELTING SNOW...WILL LIKELY
DEVELOP A LAYER OF LOW CLOUDS BETWEEN 1000-2500 FEET AGL LATE
AFTERNOON AND EVENING WEDNESDAY. CONDS WILL LOWER TO MVFR TO IFR
CONDS WEDNESDAY NIGHT/THURSDAY MORNING OVER MUCH OF THE UPPER
MIDWEST.  SOME PATCHY LIGHT FREEZING DRIZZLE OR DRIZZLE DEVELOPING
LATE IN THE DAY AND EVENING.  SOUTH WINDS INCREASING TO 10 TO 20
KNOTS. POTENTIAL FOR LOW LEVEL WIND SHEAR WITH 40-50 KNOT LOW LEVEL
JET OVER THE UPPER MIDWEST.

KMSP...VFR CONDS WITH MID/HIGH LEVEL CLOUDS OVERNIGHT INTO WED.
LLWS POTENTIAL THERE WITH LLJ MOVING/DEVELOPING OVER AREA.  WILL
MENTION THIS 06Z-13Z PERIOD.  MAIN WEATHER COMES IN AFTER 00Z THU
WITH MVFR CIGS AND POTENTIAL FOR SOME -DZ/-FZDZ AROUND 22Z-24Z UTC
WEDNESDAY TIMEFRAME.

&&

.MPX WATCHES/WARNINGS/ADVISORIES...
MN...WINTER WEATHER ADVISORY FROM 3 AM TO 6 PM CST THURSDAY FOR
     CHIPPEWA-DOUGLAS-LAC QUI PARLE-POPE-STEVENS-SWIFT-TODD-
     YELLOW MEDICINE.

     WINTER STORM WATCH FROM FRIDAY MORNING THROUGH LATE FRIDAY NIGHT
     FOR CHIPPEWA-DOUGLAS-LAC QUI PARLE-POPE-STEVENS-SWIFT-
     YELLOW MEDICINE.

WI...NONE.
&&

JPR/JVM
Hazardous weather outlook, Dec 29, 12:06 AM CST, 4 hours 53 minutes before
HAZARDOUS WEATHER OUTLOOK
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE TWIN CITIES/CHANHASSEN MN
524 PM CST TUE DEC 28 2010

MNZ041>045-047>070-073>078-082>085-091>093-WIZ014>016-023>028-
291100-
DOUGLAS-TODD-MORRISON-MILLE LACS-KANABEC-STEVENS-POPE-STEARNS-
BENTON-SHERBURNE-ISANTI-CHISAGO-LAC QUI PARLE-SWIFT-CHIPPEWA-
KANDIYOHI-MEEKER-WRIGHT-HENNEPIN-ANOKA-RAMSEY-WASHINGTON-
YELLOW MEDICINE-RENVILLE-MCLEOD-SIBLEY-CARVER-SCOTT-DAKOTA-
REDWOOD-BROWN-NICOLLET-LE SUEUR-RICE-GOODHUE-WATONWAN-BLUE EARTH-
WASECA-STEELE-MARTIN-FARIBAULT-FREEBORN-POLK-BARRON-RUSK-
ST. CROIX-PIERCE-DUNN-PEPIN-EAU CLAIRE-
524 PM CST TUE DEC 28 2010

THIS HAZARDOUS WEATHER OUTLOOK IS FOR PORTIONS OF CENTRAL AND
SOUTHERN MINNESOTA...AND WEST CENTRAL WISCONSIN.

.DAY ONE...TONIGHT

NO HAZARDOUS WEATHER IS EXPECTED AT THIS TIME.

.DAYS TWO THROUGH SEVEN...WEDNESDAY THROUGH MONDAY

A STRONG WEATHER SYSTEM ARRIVES LATE WEDNESDAY NIGHT AND WILL BRING
TWO ROUNDS OF WINTER WEATHER TO MINNESOTA AND PORTIONS OF WISCONSIN.

THE FIRST ROUND OF WEATHER WILL COME FROM A LOW PRESSURE SYSTEM
THAT WILL TAKE SHAPE OVER THE CENTRAL ROCKIES ON WEDNESDAY AND
ADVANCE INTO THE UPPER MISSISSIPPI VALLEY REGION ON THURSDAY.
THIS SYSTEM IS RELATIVELY WARM AND MOST OF THE PRECIPITATION
SHOULD FALL AS RAIN OR FREEZING RAIN ON THURSDAY. ICE
ACCUMULATIONS COULD TOP OUT BETWEEN A TENTH AND TWO TENTHS OF AN
INCH...ESPECIALLY OVER PARTS OF WESTERN AND CENTRAL MINNESOTA.
THERE SHOULD BE A BRIEF LULL THURSDAY NIGHT...WHEN THE
PRECIPITATION BECOMES LIGHTER AND CHANGES OVER TO DRIZZLE OR
FREEZING DRIZZLE.

THE SECOND ROUND OF WEATHER WILL BE ASSOCIATED WITH COLDER
TEMPERATURES AND MUCH BETTER CHANCES FOR ACCUMULATING SNOW IN
MINNESOTA ON FRIDAY. THERE IS A LOT OF ENERGY WITH THIS SECOND
DISTURBANCE...BUT THE PLACEMENT OF THE HEAVIEST PRECIPITATION IS
MORE UNCERTAIN AT THIS POINT. HOWEVER...SEVERAL INCHES OF SNOW
DOES APPEAR POSSIBLE BEFORE DIMINISHING FRIDAY EVENING.
THE CHANGE OVER FROM RAIN TO SNOW WILL OCCUR FROM WEST TO EAST ON
FRIDAY...WITH WEST CENTRAL WISCONSIN THE LAST TO SEE THE CHANGE
OVER. THIS SECOND ROUND OF PRECIPITATION WILL ALSO BE ACCOMPANIED
BY STRONG NORTH TO NORTHWEST WINDS WHICH MAY CAUSE BLOWING AND
DRIFTING SNOW.

.SPOTTER INFORMATION STATEMENT...

SKYWARN SPOTTER ACTIVATION WILL NOT BE NEEDED.

The office that day

Everything else NWS Twin Cities, MN issued on the same UTC day.

IssuedProductOfficeCountiesLasted
Dec 29, 4:59 AM CSTWinter Weather AdvisoryMPXBenton, Chippewa, Douglas, Isanti, Kanabec, Kandiyohi and 14 more47 hr
Dec 29, 11:33 AM CSTDense Fog AdvisoryMPXAnoka, Benton, Blue Earth, Brown, Carver, Chippewa and 36 more15 hr

Nearby

Winter Storm Watches in Minnesota, 2010Every winter storm watch in 2010

Sources

The product and its follow-ups from the Iowa Environmental Mesonet's archive of National Weather Service and Storm Prediction Center text; the sounding from the Mesonet's radiosonde archive; radar from the NEXRAD Level II archive.