Storm Track Update: Friday travel could be difficult

Friday travel is being affected by two snow events, one widespread and another rather localized.

The first is a weather system bringing widespread accumulation including North Dakota, South Dakota, Minnesota, Iowa, Illinois and Missouri. Winter Weather Advisories and Winter Storm Warnings are in effect along and south of Interstate 94 from Fargo to Minneapolis into the evening.

The localized event is due to lake effect. A narrow band of persistent snow has brought a coating of fresh accumulation surrounding the Head of Lake Superior. Lake effect snow showers will continue through today and tonight for portions of the North and South Shores. A Winter Weather Advisory is in effect for the North Shore of Lake County, South St. Louis County, Carlton County, Douglas County, and Bayfield County until 6 a.m. Saturday.

Accumulation will be dependent on how long the lake effect snow bands linger over the same communities before shifting to the south. Localized totals of 3-6" are possible from Two Harbors to the Twin Ports and along the Bayfield Peninsula. In a scenario where bands continue to linger over the same communities that received accumulation Friday morning, isolated areas receiving as much as 10” is not out of the question.