Minnesota Weather: 8 Inches Of Snow Possible In Dakota County

DAKOTA COUNTY, MN — The National Weather Service has issued a winter storm watch for Dakota County and the rest of the Twin Cities metro area. Up to 8 inches of snow could fall in the south metro.

Winds could gust as high as 45 mph between Thursday morning and Friday, with blowing snow making travel very difficult. Gusty winds will make visibility low and they could bring down tree branches.

"Total snowfall accumulations of 4 to 9 inches are expected, but they will occur over a long duration of time, with snowfall rates expected to remain below an inch per hour for most if not all of the event," notes the NWS.

"The greatest snowfall amounts, from 6 to 9 inches, are expected from south central Minnesota through east central Minnesota and into west central Wisconsin, including Fairmont, Mankato, the Twin Cities metro area, Luck, and Cumberland. Gusty northwest winds will develop by Thursday afternoon, and persist through Friday. Wind gusts in excess of 45 mph are possible, particularly from west central into south central Minnesota Thursday night into Friday. These winds will result in widespread blowing and drifting of snow, especially Thursday night and Friday. Blizzard conditions will be possible from west central into south central Minnesota where the strongest winds are expected."

Here's the current NWS forecast for the Dakota County area:

Thursday: Rain and snow, becoming all snow after 3pm. High near 35. West northwest wind 10 to 15 mph, with gusts as high as 25 mph. Chance of precipitation is 90%. New snow accumulation of 1 to 3 inches possible.

Thursday Night: Snow likely, mainly after 9pm. Cloudy, with a low around 28. West northwest wind around 15 mph becoming north after midnight. Winds could gust as high as 30 mph. Chance of precipitation is 70%. New snow accumulation of 3 to 5 inches possible.

Friday: Snow likely. Cloudy, with a high near 33. North northwest wind around 15 mph, with gusts as high as 30 mph. Chance of precipitation is 60%. New snow accumulation of 1 to 3 inches possible.

Friday Night: A 20 percent chance of snow before midnight. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 22. North northwest wind 10 to 15 mph, with gusts as high as 25 mph.

Saturday: Cloudy, with a high near 26. North northwest wind around 10 mph.

Saturday Night: Mostly cloudy, with a low around 15. West northwest wind 5 to 10 mph.

Sunday: Mostly cloudy, with a high near 23. West northwest wind around 5 mph.

Sunday Night: Mostly cloudy, with a low around 13. West wind around 5 mph.

M.L.King Day: Mostly cloudy, with a high near 22. West northwest wind around 5 mph.

Monday Night: Mostly cloudy, with a low around 11. West northwest wind around 5 mph.

Tuesday: Mostly cloudy, with a high near 23. West wind around 5 mph