Brandon Weatherz: Tracking rain, ice, snow and winds

A Winter Storm Watch has been issued for Carlton, South St. Louis, Lake, and Cook Co. from 12 am Thursday until 7 am Friday due to potential for significant ice accumulation and snow of a few inches. Central and North St. Louis County, Itasca County, and Koochiching County are in a Winter Storm Watch from 7 am Thursday to 7 am Friday for a light glaze of ice and a greater chance for significant snow accumulation surpassing 6”.

Our Wednesday features the initial round of wintry mix moving across the Northland from southwest to northeast arriving this morning and tapering off this afternoon. The wetter period begins tonight as widespread showers and thunderstorms edge into east central Minnesota and northwest Wisconsin from the south. These areas may see excessive rainfall which would add to our flooding concerns.

The Head of Lake Superior and the Arrowhead will take the focus for ice potential tonight due to rain and freezing rain. By the Thursday morning commute, it’ll still be rather wet in Wisconsin, with a wintry mix for Duluth much of northeast Minnesota. Snow gradually takes over from the west through the evening and overnight, with the Twin Ports seeing the changeover around 7 pm. Snow then continues Thursday night and Friday, especially north of Duluth.

We’re on track to see the highest snow totals near International Falls where 12” is possible. Amounts fall looking south, with at least 6” possible for Grand Rapids and the Iron Range. The Twin Ports is on the edge of potential for at least 3” with amounts quickly falling going south of the Head of Lake Superior.

Today: Windy and cloudy with a wintry mix of rain, freezing rain, and snow. Temp steady around 35. ENE wind 15-25 mph. Chance of precip: 60%. Snow and sleet accumulation under a half inch.

Tonight: Windy with rain and freezing rain. Low 32. ENE wind 15-25 mph. Ice accumulation of .1 to .3” possible.

Tomorrow: Windy and cloudy with a wintry mix of rain, freezing rain and snow. High 35. ENE wind 25-30 mph. Chance of precip: 90%. Ice accumulation of .1 to .3” possible. Snow and sleet accumulation of less than an inch.

Tomorrow night: Snow and breezy. Low 29. NE wind becoming SW 10-20 mph. Chance of snow: 90%. Snow of 1-3” expected.

Friday: Mostly cloudy and breezy with snow showers. High 38. SW wind 10-20 mph. Chance of snow: 50%. Snow accumulation under an inch.

Saturday: Mostly cloudy and breezy with a slight chance for snow. High 38. NNW wind 10-20 mph.

Sunday: Mostly cloudy and breezy. High 39. NW wind 10-15 mph.

Monday: Partly cloudy. High 43. NW wind 5-15 mph.

Tuesday: Partly cloudy with a slight chance for rain and snow. High 46. NE wind 5-15 mph.