Winter Storm Expected to Miss SE Minnesota But It Will Be Wet

La Crosse, WI (KROC AM News) - It appears southeast Minnesota will luck out and miss out on a winter storm that is predicted to impact most of the rest of the state this weekend.

The National Weather Service issued this statement Friday morning:

A prolonged period of wintry precipitation is expected with this system for most of western, central, and northern Minnesota from Friday night through Monday morning. Thus, a Winter Storm Watch is in place for counties in central to west-central Minnesota. In this region, snow should start during the early morning hours on Saturday but change over to wintry mixed precipitation before noon Saturday. This wintry mixed precipitation will be heavy at times and should last into the late afternoon hours on Sunday. Afterward, precipitation will change back over to snow and continue into early Monday morning.

The NWS says snowfall totals could be as high as six inches or more in some areas in the storm zone.

Mostly rain is expected in southeast Minnesota through the weekend with possible totals of 1 - 2 inches. This could lead to minor flooding problems in some areas.

Temperatures in southeast Minnesota are expected to be as much as 15 - 20 degrees above normal Saturday and Sunday with highs of 40-45 degrees in most areas.

Cooler weather is expected Monday and Tuesday but above normal temps will return New Year’s Day and Thursday.