Winter Storm Triggers Blizzard Warnings For Parts Of Midwest, Including Minnesota And South Dakota

KEY POINTS

Parts of Minnesota and South Dakota are under Blizzard Warning
Many townships are under Winter Weather Advisory
Areas across the upper Midwest are preparing for the season’s “first significant snowfall”

Blizzard warnings have been placed for several parts of the Midwest, including areas in Minnesota expected to be affected by heavy snow. Reduced visibility is also expected in some areas across west central Minnesota.

In its 6 p.m. update Thursday, the National Weather Service (NSW) in Aberdeen placed Watertown, Minnesota, under Blizzard Warning as well as a portion of Aberdeen, South Dakota. “Continuing strong NW winds, and increasingly steady snow across ne SD and wc MN will lead to significantly reduced visibility at times through Fri AM hours,” the agency warned, adding that residents should expect possible difficulties in morning and evening commute.

The NWS in Twin Cities also announced a Winter Weather Advisory in effect across parts of central and south-central Minnesota through Friday morning. For areas under Blizzard Warnings, residents are encouraged to stay at home except for emergencies, while those under Winter Weather Advisories are advised to practice caution when driving.

Continuing strong NW winds, and increasingly steady snow across ne SD and wc MN will lead to significantly reduced visibility at times through the Fri AM hours. While weather conditions improve some by and through Fri afternoon, travel may well still be hazardous. #sdwx #mnwx pic.twitter.com/WhRdUABEGu
— NWS Aberdeen (@NWSAberdeen) November 12, 2021

Active weather is impacting wide swaths of the U.S. today. Heavy rain could produce flash floods or debris flows in the PacNW. Heavy snow & high winds are creating areas of blizzard conditions in the Upper Midwest. Showers extend along a cold front slowly moving across the East. pic.twitter.com/vaAQxo8ary
— National Weather Service (@NWS) November 11, 2021

CBS News compiled a list of other areas under Blizzard Warning Friday:

Wheaton, Minnesota
Ortonville, Minnesota
Britton, Michigan
Sisseton, South Dakota
Webster, Minnesota
Milbank, South Dakota
Hayti, South Dakota
Clear Lake, Minnesota

NWS Twin Cities also released a list of areas under Winter Weather Advisory, which will be in effect until noon Friday:

Long Prairie
St. Cloud
Madison
Benson
Montevideo
Willmar
Litchfield
Granite Falls
Olivia
Hutchinson
Gaylord
Redwood Falls
New Ulm
St. Peter
Le Sueur
St. James
Mankato
Waseca
Owatonna
Fairmont
Blue Earth
Albert Lea

The NWS noted that “snow accumulations of 2 to 4 inches” are expected as well as “winds gusting as high as 55 mph.” The Blizzard Warnings will be in effect until 6 p.m. Friday unless declared otherwise.

Travel impacts are expected tonight through tomorrow morning across west-central and south-central Minnesota. 2-4" of snow accumulation is expected, along with wind gusts in excess of 40 mph.

Get an hourly forecast for your location here: https://t.co/OS2u4bJge4 #mnwx #wiwx pic.twitter.com/AHENNJFk7t
— NWS Twin Cities (@NWSTwinCities) November 11, 2021

Earlier on Thursday, the NWS Weather Prediction Center said a “strong storm system will impact the Northern Plains and Upper Midwest will produce light to moderate snowfall” throughout Friday. By early Friday, AccuWeather predicted that the storm system, “known as an Alberta Clipper,” will affect Minnesota through Saturday.

CNN meteorologist Dave Hennen said many parts of the Upper Midwest are “under some sort of winter alert as the season’s first significant snowfall is forecast.” After passing through the upper Midwest, it is expected that the storm will expand and move gradually eastward.