Updated Snow Projections for Monday’s Storm in Minnesota and Iowa

Up until now, our winter has been fantastic. Temps have been above average and there has been very little snowfall, but that could change soon.  A blast of arctic air will hit the region late next week causing temps to fall off a cliff, and before that, a snowstorm will impact parts of Minnesota, Iowa, and Wisconsin. 

The National Weather Service in La Crosse says: "A winter storm remains on track to bring snow and wind to parts of the region Monday night through Tuesday night." Read how much snow is expected and how cold it will get when the arctic air moves in below.

This article has been revised with the latest information as of Sunday morning. Yesterday, the National Weather Service provided projected snowfall totals for Monday's winter storm but mentioned that the storm was only reaching the West Coast, implying that the track could change.

Now, the track has shifted north, indicating that Iowa is in for substantial snowfall, and certain areas of Minnesota can expect more snow than initially anticipated. The NWS warns that this storm will be accompanied by strong winds, making travel challenging and hazardous in some parts of our region. For the most recent update, please read below.

How Much Snow Will Iowa Get?

The National Weather Service in Des Moines says, "A northward shift in storm track has been signaled the last couple model cycles, and you can probably guess what that means for the area... More snow, and our first sizable winter storm of the season."

The National Weather Service (NWS) in Des Moines cautions that travel conditions could be hazardous, particularly from Monday evening into Tuesday. They advise individuals to review their winter survival kits and consider adjusting travel plans if feasible.

According to weather experts, the southern and central regions of the Hawkeye State are expected to receive the heaviest snowfall, with certain areas possibly accumulating more than a foot of snow.

 How Much Snow Will Minnesota Get?

24 hours ago it looked like Minnesota would dodge the bullet. At that time, the NWS in La Crosse forecasted about 1" of snow for most of the SE corner of the state.

The forecast was revised Sunday morning, indicating that Iowa and Wisconsin will continue to bear the brunt of the storm, but SE MN will receive more than an inch.

The National Weather Service is also cautioning about strong winds: "The snow will be accompanied by increasing northwest winds with gusts of 30 to 40 mph, posing the potential for slippery to hazardous driving conditions."

Temps to Plummet Later This Week

Take a look at the map below, which gives us the temperature outlook for the next 8-14 days. Cold air will move into Minnesota on Thursday with highs topping out that day in the mid-teens. Then from Friday, January 12th, through the middle of the following week,  high temperatures will struggle to get above single digits.