Snow and Ice Threat for Upper Midwest

On the northern side of the severe weather chances, winter continues across the Upper Midwest and Great Lakes. In the last 24 hours, ice has accreted up to half an inch thick in parts of Wisconsin. Thousands of residents are in the dark because of trees falling on power lines. The first round of snow and ice will end later tonight across the Arrowhead of Minnesota, Northern Wisconsin, and the Upper Peninsula of Michigan.

As we look ahead to Friday and Saturday, winter storm warnings and advisories are out for the second low pressure system to emerge from the Northern Rockies. Friday, pockets of freezing rain and snow will be likely.

Initially, freezing rain will break out across parts of the Upper Midwest as more warm moist air is brought northward from the Gulf interacting with the colder air. Then, the column of air will progressively get colder from the top to the bottom supporting snow before the system exits Saturday afternoon.

With the second round of snow, an additional 6-12 inches of snow will be likely across the Dakotas and Minnesota. In addition, significant icing looks to be possible across Michigan. Travel will be tough this weekend so avoid travel if you can!