Weather Alert in Minnesota

Recent Locations: Luverne, MN

Blizzard Warning issued March 15 at 3:04AM CDT until March 16 at 7:00AM CDT by NWS Twin Cities/Chanhassen MN

AREAS AFFECTED: Lac Qui Parle; Chippewa; Kandiyohi; Meeker; Yellow Medicine; Renville; McLeod; Sibley; Redwood; Brown; Nicollet; Watonwan; Blue Earth; Waseca

DESCRIPTION: ...VERY HEAVY SNOW HAS DEVELOPED ACROSS SOUTHERN MINNESOTA AND IS EXPECTED TO EXPAND INTO WESTERN WISCONSIN THIS MORNING... ...WINDS WILL INCREASE SIGNIFICANTLY THIS MORNING WITH WIDESPREAD BLOWING SNOW AND BLIZZARD CONDITIONS THIS AFTERNOON AND TONIGHT... .Heavy snow across southern Minnesota will expand northeast into west central Wisconsin this morning. Additional accumulations of 12 to 18 inches are expected in this corridor. Snowfall rates of 2 to 3 inches per hour are possible through mid morning. Lighter snow to the northwest will persist through the morning, then taper off from northwest to southeast later this afternoon and evening. Travel conditions will continue to deteriorate today. Despite the snow tapering off gradually this afternoon, northwest winds will increase to 30 to 40 mph. Some gusts near 60 mph are expected across the Minnesota River Valley. The combination of falling snow, blowing snow, and gusty winds will reduce visibility and create blizzard conditions into tonight. * WHAT...Blizzard conditions. Additional snow accumulations between 5 and 10 inches. Winds gusting as high as 60 mph. * WHERE...Kandiyohi, McLeod, Meeker, Renville, Sibley, Blue Earth, Brown, Nicollet, Waseca, Watonwan, Redwood, Chippewa, Lac Qui Parle, and Yellow Medicine Counties. * WHEN...Until 7 AM CDT Monday. * IMPACTS...Whiteout conditions are expected and will make travel treacherous and potentially life-threatening. Travel could be very difficult. Widespread blowing snow could significantly reduce visibility. The hazardous conditions will impact the Monday morning commute. Strong winds could cause extensive damage to trees and power lines.

INSTRUCTION: 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. Call 5 1 1 or visit 511mn.org for road conditions. Prepare now for potential road closures. Delay travel and shelter in place once conditions worsen. Remember, if interstate highways are closed, state highways and county roads are also impassable.

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North America Water Vapor (Moisture)

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Weather Topic: What are Cirrostratus Clouds?

Home - Education - Cloud Types - Cirrostratus Clouds

Next Topic: Cirrus Clouds

Cirrostratus clouds are high, thin clouds that form above 20,000 feet and are made mostly of ice crystals. They sometimes look like giant feathers, horse tails, or curls of hair in the sky. These clouds are pushed by the jet stream and can move at high speeds reaching 100 mph.

What do they indicate?
They indicate that a precipitation is likely within 24 hours.

Next Topic: Cirrus Clouds

Weather Topic: What is Condensation?

Home - Education - Precipitation - Condensation

Next Topic: Contrails

Condensation is the process which creates clouds, and therefore it is a crucial process in the water cycle. Condensation is the change of matter from a state of gas into a state of liquid, and it happens because water molecules release heat into the atmosphere and become organized into a more closely packed structure, what we might see as water droplets.

Water is always present in the air around us as a vapor, but it's too small for us to see. When water undergoes the process of condensation it becomes organized into visible water droplets. You've probably seen condensation happen before on the surface of a cold drink!

Next Topic: Contrails