Rochester Area Expecting Heavy Snow and Gusty Winds
Rochester, MN (KROC-AM News) - While it appears Wisconsin will get the worst of the winter storm forecast to hit Monday night and Tuesday, southeastern Minnesota is still expecting a significant snow event.
The National Weather Service has posted a winter storm warning from 6 PM Monday through 9 PM Tuesday that includes the southeast corner of Minnesota. It also covers nearly the entire state of Wisconsin and the eastern two-thirds of Iowa.
The latest forecasting models are predicting the heaviest snow will fall east of the Mississippi River, where forecasters say some areas in Wisconsin could see a foot or more of accumulation by Tuesday evening. The Rochester area and other parts of southeastern Minnesota included in the winter storm warning are being told to expect anywhere from 6 to 10 inches of new snow, while areas just west of Rochester are now predicted to see 4 to 6 inches of accumulation.
Forecasters are advising anyone with travel plans that the snowfall rates may be fast enough to result in zero visibility at times. The storm is also expected to be accompanied by gusty west winds, particularly on Tuesday, resulting in reduced visibility for travelers and significant blowing and drifting snow in open areas.