Late Round Of Snow Expected To Snarl Morning Commute

MINNEAPOLIS (WCCO) -- It's becoming commonplace and we haven't even quite left November behind us yet. Another round of winter weather is moving across Minnesota.

WCCO-TV meteorologist Chris Shaffer is predicting anywhere from 1 to 3 inches for parts of the Twin Cities, as a brief bout of relatively warm air is swept away by a cold front.

Rain showers that began in the metro early Monday afternoon are expected to turn to snow as a cold front moves in at about midnight.

At about 6:15 Monday evening, Kent Barnard with MnDOT said plows and sand trucks are ready but it would be "irresponsible" to put trucks on the road while it's still raining because the rain would wash any pre-treatment materials off the roads and into the ditches.

Barnard said drivers at "all truck stations" are getting ready to go if they're needed later Monday night. He said they're waiting for the temperatures to drop before doing anything.

Snowfall had already begun in western, central and northern Minnesota Monday night. To the north, 3 inches have fallen on Virginia, 1.7 in Duluth and 4 in Detroit Lakes.

To the west, 4.3 inches of snow have fallen in Benson Monday night and 4 inches near Montevideo. In Winthrop in south-central Minnesota, 2.5 inches have fallen.

A winter weather advisory is in effect until noon Tuesday for the metro area but with heavier snow and gusting winds, west of the metro is currently in a winter storm warning, which also expires at noon on Tuesday.

The snow is expected to play a factor in Tuesday morning's commute. The heaviest snow should be done by the time the commute begins, but with high winds between 15 and 25 mph expected, blowing snow and visibility will be an issue. Drivers are urged to plan ahead as things will likely be slow going. Click here for traffic information.

Temperatures will also begin their steep decline on Tuesday with snow should tapering off by evening. The snow is not expected to create too much of a mess for the evening commute.

Highs for the rest of the week should remain in the 20s.

For now, Wednesday, Thursday and most of Friday looks dry, however some snow accumulation is possible in the Twin Cities Friday evening into Saturday.