Weather Alert in Minnesota
Blizzard Warning issued March 15 at 12:05PM CDT until March 16 at 7:00AM CDT by NWS Twin Cities/Chanhassen MN
AREAS AFFECTED: Scott; Dakota; Le Sueur; Rice; Goodhue; Steele; Barron; Rusk; St. Croix; Pierce; Dunn; Pepin; Chippewa; Eau Claire
DESCRIPTION: ...INCREASING WIND SPEEDS WILL LEAD TO BLOWING SNOW AND BLIZZARD CONDITIONS THIS AFTERNOON AND TONIGHT... ...LIGHT TO MODERATE SNOW WILL CONTINUE THROUGH THE AFTERNOON... .Widespread snowfall amounts over 8 inches through this morning fell along and south of a line from Rice Lake in Wisconsin, to the Twin Cities, and Redwood Falls. An additional 3 to 6 inches of snow is expected through the afternoon in these area. Travel conditions will continue to deteriorate this afternoon as northwest wind gusts increase to between 40 and 50 mph, with gusts to 55 mph possible along the I-90 corridor. 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 3 and 5 inches. Winds gusting as high as 45 mph. * WHERE...In Minnesota, Dakota, Scott, Le Sueur, Rice, Steele, and Goodhue Counties. In Wisconsin, Barron, Rusk, Chippewa, Dunn, Eau Claire, Pepin, Pierce, and St. Croix Counties. * WHEN...Until 7 AM CDT Monday. * IMPACTS...Plan on slippery road conditions. Widespread blowing snow could significantly reduce visibility. The hazardous conditions will impact the Monday morning commute. Gusty winds could bring down tree branches.
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. In Minnesota, call 5 1 1 or visit 511mn.org for road conditions. In Wisconsin, call 5 1 1 or 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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