Winter Returns: Measurable Snow in the Forecast for Minnesota

Rochester, MN (KROC-AM News)- It appears winter is poised to make a return to Minnesota.

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The 2023/2024 winter so far has seen multiple record high temperatures fall and a noticeable lack of snowfall. Aside from a major snowstorm and coldsnap in mid-January, the winter has played out as predicted last fall by NOAA.

A forecast issued Tuesday morning by the National Weather Service indicates the weather pattern could change this week in southern Minnesota.

MnDOT

The forecast calls for above average temperatures to continue through Tuesday and into Wednesday before a system capable of bringing rain, mixed precipitation and snow to the Rochester area moves in Wednesday evening.

Kim David/TSM

The storm system is predicted to sweep through southwestern Minnesota and southeastern South Dakota Tuesday night, bringing widespread accumulations of 2-5 inches of snow to communities in those areas. The system is forecasted to push east and narrow as it travels.

The band of potential snow is expected to move into southeastern Minnesota Wednesday night. The latest forecast predicts 2-4 inches of snow region wide, however the specific location of the heaviest snowfall is still unknown.

Rochester, Austin, Winona, Preston and Wabasha all have a moderate chance of getting between an inch plus and four inches of snow, the forecast says. The storm track could still shift, which would impact the location of the measurable snow, forecasters say.

Residents of southeast Minnesota are advised to anticipate slippery travel conditions Thursday morning. Officials say to monitor the forecast ahead of time and to prepare for possible winter driving conditions Wednesday night into Thursday.

Real time road conditions and other weather-related announcements for the Rochester area are available on the free KROC News App.