Weather Obs

...GUSTY NORTHWEST WINDS WILL LEAD TO BLOWING SNOW AND BLIZZARD CONDITIONS THIS AFTERNOON AND TONIGHT... ...LIGHT TO MODERATE SNOW WILL END THIS EVENING... .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 be dangerous into this evening 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. The worst conditions are expected in the Minnesota River Valley in southwest Minnesota, then from south central Minnesota into western Wisconsin where widespread snowfall amounts over 12 inches have been observed. * WHAT...Heavy snow and blowing snow. Additional snow accumulations up to two inches. Winds gusting as high as 40 mph. * WHERE...In Minnesota, Anoka, Carver, Chisago, Hennepin, Ramsey, and Washington Counties. In Wisconsin, Polk County. * WHEN...Until 1 AM CDT Monday. * IMPACTS...Plan on slippery road conditions. Areas of blowing snow could significantly reduce visibility.