Winter Storm Warning Issued For Rochester & Surrounding Counties

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Rochester, MN (KROC-AM News) - Rochester is included in a winter storm warning issued this afternoon by the National Weather Service for a portion of southeastern Minnesota, northeastern Iowa, and southwestern Wisconsin.

The warning will be in effect from noon on Thursday through 6 AM on Friday. Olmsted, Dodge, Mower, Fillmore, Wabasha, Winona, and Houston counties are all covered by the warning. Areas further to the west and north are currently still under a winter storm watch.

While the snowfall totals forecast for southeastern Minnesota are not as high as what was predicted on Tuesday, forecasters say the region will likely see significant accumulations of heavy, wet snow. The most current forecast from the National Weather Service is predicting 4-8 inches of snow across the southeastern corner of Minnesota by Friday morning.

Isolated pockets of heavier snow, potentially up to a foot of accumulation, are possible along the Minnesota-Iowa border and northern Iowa. The National Weather Service cautions that a shift in the track of the storm could significantly reduce or increase the predicted snowfall amounts.

Anyone with travel plans on Thursday or Friday is advised to closely monitor future forecasts and be ready to alter those plans if needed.