Pending snowstorm is upgraded to a full-scale warning

CHANHASSEN, MN — The National Weather Service has upgraded the pending snowstorm expected to hit the area starting Wednesday evening to a full-scale warning.

The warning impacts the southern half of the state.  “Significant” snowfall is forecasted, with some areas expected to receive up to 20 inches.  The storm is expected to intensify Thursday and Friday.  Winds are expected to reach 20 to 30 miles per hour.   Travel is not advised.

Details are as follows:

WINTER STORM WARNING IN EFFECT FROM MIDNIGHT WEDNESDAY NIGHT TO 6 AM CST SATURDAY
UNTIL 8:30PM CST
Urgent – Winter Weather Message
National Weather Service Twin Cities/Chanhassen MN
1223 PM CST Tue Dec 22 2009

Stearns-Sherburne-Isanti-Chisago-Swift-Chippewa-Kandiyohi-Meeker-
Wright-Hennepin-Anoka-Ramsey-Washington-Mcleod-Carver-Scott-Polk-
Barron-Rusk-St. Croix-
Including The Cities Of, St. Cloud, Elk River, Cambridge,
Center City, Benson, Montevideo, Willmar, Litchfield,
Monticello, Minneapolis, Blaine, St. Paul, Stillwater,
Hutchinson, Chaska, Shakopee, Amery, Balsam Lake,
Rice Lake, Barron, Ladysmith, Hudson, New Richmond

, Winter Storm Warning In Effect From Midnight Wednesday Night
To 6 AM CST Saturday,

The National Weather Service In Twin Cities/Chanhassen Has Issued
A Winter Storm Warning For Heavy Snow, Which Is In Effect From
Midnight Wednesday Night To 6 AM CST Saturday. The Winter Storm
Watch Is No Longer In Effect.

* Timing, Several Periods Of Snow Are Expected From Wednesday
Night Through Friday Night. Some Sleet Is Also Possible From
Late Wednesday Night Into Thursday Afternoon, Mainly South And
East Of The Twin Cities Metro Area.

* Accumulations, Significant Amounts Of Snow Will Occur With
Periods Of Heavy Snow Possible As The Storm Intensifies Thursday
And Friday. Near Blizzard Conditions Can Be Expected, .
Particularly Late Thursday Through Friday. Total Snowfall
Accumulations Will Likely Exceed A Foot In Many Areas, . With A
Few Totals In Excess Of 20 Inches Possible.

* Surface Visibility Will Be Significantly Reduced As Winds
Increase To 20 To 30 Mph From The East On Wednesday, Becoming
More Northeast, Then North On Friday.

Precautionary/Preparedness Actions,

A Winter Storm Warning For Heavy Snow Means Severe Winter Weather
Conditions Are Expected Or Occurring. Significant Amounts Of Snow
Are Forecast That Will Make Travel Dangerous. Only Travel In An
Emergency. If You Must Travel, Keep An Extra
Flashlight, Food, And Water In Your Vehicle In Case Of An
Emergency.

&&

Issue Time:12/22/2009 12:23:00 PM

Valid Until:12/22/2009 8:30:00 PM