Weather Alert in Minnesota
Blizzard Warning issued March 15 at 2:15AM CDT until March 16 at 7:00AM CDT by NWS La Crosse WI
AREAS AFFECTED: Wabasha; Dodge; Olmsted; Winona; Mower; Fillmore; Houston
DESCRIPTION: ...DANGEROUS WINTER STORM TO IMPACT THE REGION THROUGH MONDAY MORNING... .A dangerous and potentially historic winter storm will impact the region through Monday morning. Snow rates north of Interstate 90 will increase throughout the overnight. By early this morning snowfall rates of 2 to 4 inches per hour are likely across portions of northern Clark and Taylor Counties. Mixed precipitation is likely near I-90 this morning where freezing rain accumulations of one to three tenths of an inch of ice is likely. By this afternoon, much of the area will switchover to snow with wind gusts increasing to 35 to 55 mph. This will result in widespread visibilities reductions to 1/4 mile or less at times where the Blizzard Warning is in effect. Storm total snow accumulations will likely approach all-time records in north-central Wisconsin with 18 to 36 inches of snow expected north of Interstate 94. Travel will be impossible for much of the area throughout the storm. Any travel should be reserved for emergencies only. Power outages and tree damage will be possible with the combination of heavy snow, ice, and increasing winds today. * WHAT...For the Winter Storm Warning, heavy mixed precipitation. Additional snow and sleet accumulations up to 6 inches and ice accumulations around one quarter of an inch. Winds gusting as high as 35 mph. For the Blizzard Warning, blizzard conditions expected. Total snow accumulations between 6 and 9 inches and ice accumulations around a light glaze. Winds gusting as high as 55 mph. * WHERE...A portion of southeast Minnesota. * WHEN...For the Winter Storm Warning, until 10 AM CDT this morning. For the Blizzard Warning, from 10 AM this morning to 7 AM CDT Monday. * IMPACTS...Power outages and tree damage are possible due to the ice. Travel could be nearly impossible. Widespread blowing snow could significantly reduce visibility. The hazardous conditions could impact the Monday morning commute. Strong winds could cause extensive damage to trees and power lines.
INSTRUCTION: If you must travel, keep an extra flashlight, food, and water in your vehicle in case of an emergency. Visit 511mn.org for road conditions. Travel should be restricted to emergencies only. If you must travel, have a winter survival kit with you. If you get stranded, stay with your vehicle. In Minnesota, visit 511mn.org for road conditions. In Wisconsin, visit 511wi.gov for road conditions.
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Weather Topic: What is Rain?
Home - Education - Precipitation - Rain
Next Topic: Shelf Clouds
Precipitation in the form of water droplets is called rain.
Rain generally has a tendency to fall with less intensity over a greater period
of time, and when rainfall is more severe it is usually less sustained.
Rain is the most common form of precipitation and happens with greater frequency
depending on the season and regional influences. Cities have been shown to have
an observable effect on rainfall, due to an effect called the urban heat island.
Compared to upwind, monthly rainfall between twenty and forty miles downwind of
cities is 30% greater.
Next Topic: Shelf Clouds
Weather Topic: What is Sleet?
Home - Education - Precipitation - Sleet
Next Topic: Snow
Sleet is a form of precipitation in which small ice pellets are the primary
components. These ice pellets are smaller and more translucent than hailstones,
and harder than graupel. Sleet is caused by specific atmospheric conditions and
therefore typically doesn't last for extended periods of time.
The condition which leads to sleet formation requires a warmer body of air to be
wedged in between two sub-freezing bodies of air. When snow falls through a warmer
layer of air it melts, and as it falls through the next sub-freezing body of air
it freezes again, forming ice pellets known as sleet. In some cases, water
droplets don't have time to freeze before reaching the surface and the result is
freezing rain.
Next Topic: Snow
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