First Snow Forecast of the Season for the Northern Plains

NORTHERN PLAINS - As we head into the end of the week, an upper-level trough north of the border will usher cooler air into the northern U.S. With a couple of fronts passing through, temperatures may drop low enough to support some snow. So it’s time to brush up on our winter terminology — early winter snowstorms are here!

Starting on Thursday, a cold front will drop into the northern Plains. This first front will bring mostly rain to the U.S., with a few flurries possible. Once the second front moves through on Friday afternoon and evening, it should be cold enough to bring snow chances to North Dakota, Minnesota, and the Great Lakes region.

For now, models show only a couple of inches of snowfall, but that’s enough to start thinking about snow tires across the Upper Midwest. Since the system will move through quickly, it won’t allow for major snowfall totals in these areas.

Afternoon temperatures in larger cities like Minneapolis should stay warm enough by the end of the week that any flurries that fall will likely melt fairly quickly.

For more information, be sure to join us on WeatherNation at :30 past the hour for your Central Regional Forecast.