NEXT Weather Alert Thursday as rain changes to snow, with flash freeze possible

A NEXT Weather Alert is in effect Thursday for a little snow but a lot of wind and cold that could cause roads to freeze up across the Twin Cities.

A winter weather advisory is in effect from 9 a.m. until 9 p.m. for blowing snow and a flash freeze that will create icy roads.

A wind advisory is in effect from noon until 9 p.m. Thursday for gusts between 45-60 mph.

A blizzard warning continues in far northern and northwestern Minnesota for more widespread travel impacts through Thursday evening.  

The conditions have led some schools, primarily in western Minnesota, to close on Thursday.

Most areas will only see 1.5 inches, including the metro, but snow squalls can cause crashes because they drop visibility to near zero for a few minutes when they hit.

Thursday night will be very cold with temps near zero in the metro and minus 10s up north. 

Wind chills will be in the minus 10s to minus 20s Friday morning, with highs eventually rising into the 10s with clouds and less wind.

The weekend looks to be partly cloudy in the metro with highs in the mid-to-upper 20s on Saturday. Lows will be near zero again Sunday morning, with temps eventually rising into the 10s.

The weather pattern turns dry, with the exception of a possible coating of snow overnight Friday into Saturday.

Expect milder temps in the 30s, which is about average, through Christmas and probably through New Year's.