‘Messy’ Winter Storm Targeting Minnesota, With Potentially Heavy Snow + Other Threats

Ever since our arctic blast of subzero temperatures in January, things haven't been too rough in Minnesota weather-wise. It looks like there's a change ahead for next week.

The National Weather Service is monitoring what they are calling a "messy" winter storm system targeting nearly all of Minnesota mid-week next week that you'll want to be aware of.

What can we expect? When will it hit? Why are they calling it "messy"? Here's what we know.

What can we expect with this "messy" winter storm targeting Minnesota next week?

The National Weather Service is using the word "messy" because the potential of heavy snow, freezing rain, mixed precipitation, and even rain all exists with what is currently in the forecast.

READ MORE: What Month Is REALLY Minnesota's Snowiest Month Of The Year?

It is worth noting that any weather outlook more than a couple of days into the future has a lot of variables and can change.

The various weather models still disagree on what will fall and where. Some of those weather models hint toward 10+ inches of snow potentially falling somewhere in Minnesota, but a slight change in storm track or a slight difference in temperature can drastically change what happens next week.

During this expected storm, temperatures will be on the warmer side, with daytime highs in a good share of the state in the 20s to near the freezing point during the day, which complicates the forecast a lot. Southern parts of Minnesota could push into the 30s at times.

Because of all of these variables and the temperatures expected to be where they are, it's pretty hard to narrow down amounts and where and when snow vs. rain or other types of precipitation will fall

When is this storm expected to hit Minnesota?

Things look to build into Minnesota in the later hours of Tuesday, with the heaviest precipitation (in whatever form it falls) expected Wednesday and into Thursday.

As we get closer, more precise timing and when rain might change to snow or vice versa will get clearer.

As you can see in the graphic above from the Duluth office of the National Weather Service, there are some big unknowns. Namely, the exact track of the storm and the amounts/intensity of whatever type(s) of precipitation will fall across Minnesota.

Get our free mobile app

The biggest takeaway is to keep in mind that mid-week next week looks like it could be messy and could bring travel and other weather-related impacts to your week. As we get closer, we'll certainly share a clearer picture as it develops.