8 Inches Of Snow Possible In Twin Cities: Minnesota Weather

TWIN CITIES, MN — Residents in the Twin Cities area are in for a doozy of a snowstorm starting Wednesday. Up to 8 inches of snow could fall in the Minneapolis-St. Paul metro area when all is said and done.

"Snow totals have also increased significantly over the last 12 hours," said the National Weather Service.

Heavy winds, cold, and snow will combine to create dangerous blizzard conditions throughout central Minnesota. Winds are expected to reach 50 mph, creating a "whiteout."

Motorists should be on the lookout for slippery road conditions and blowing snow, which will significantly reduce visibility. The winds will be strong enough to bring down tree branches.

The evening commute Wednesday will feature especially dangerous conditions.

On top of the snow, cold wind chills as low as 25 below zero will arrive, which could cause frostbite on exposed skin in 30 minutes.

"Temperatures will start in the 30s but will plummet during the day following a cold front, falling below zero overnight," the NWS notes.

"This will turn the rain to heavy snow very quickly early Wednesday afternoon across eastern Minnesota. Wet conditions, heavy snow, and temperatures falling into the teens will likely result in flash freeze with dangerous travel conditions through Wednesday night."

Here's the NWS forecast for the Twin Cities metro area:

Wednesday: Snow, possibly mixed with rain, becoming all snow after 1pm. The snow could be heavy at times. Widespread blowing snow, mainly after 3pm. Temperature falling to around 15 by 5pm. Windy, with a south southeast wind 5 to 10 mph becoming northwest 20 to 30 mph in the morning. Winds could gust as high as 50 mph. Chance of precipitation is 100%. New snow accumulation of 3 to 7 inches possible.

Wednesday Night: Snow, mainly before 11pm. Widespread blowing snow, mainly before 10pm. Low around -3. Wind chill values as low as -24. Windy, with a northwest wind 20 to 30 mph, with gusts as high as 50 mph. Chance of precipitation is 100%. New snow accumulation of 1 to 3 inches possible.

Thursday: Patchy blowing snow before 7am. Mostly sunny, with a high near 6. Wind chill values as low as -24. Blustery, with a northwest wind 15 to 20 mph, with gusts as high as 30 mph.

Thursday Night: Mostly clear, with a low around -2. West northwest wind 5 to 10 mph.

Christmas Day: Sunny, with a high near 21. West southwest wind 5 to 10 mph.

Friday Night: Partly cloudy, with a low around 13. West wind around 5 mph becoming calm after midnight.

Saturday: Mostly sunny, with a high near 28. Calm wind becoming west northwest around 5 mph.

Saturday Night: Mostly cloudy, with a low around 15. Calm wind becoming northeast around 5 mph after midnight.

Sunday: Mostly cloudy, with a high near 23. North wind 5 to 10 mph.

Sunday Night: Mostly cloudy, with a low around 8. North northwest wind 5 to 10 mph.

Monday: Mostly sunny, with a high near 17. Northwest wind 5 to 10 mph.

Monday Night: Partly cloudy, with a low around 3. Northwest wind around 5 mph.

Tuesday: Mostly sunny, with a high near 20. Northwest wind around 5 mph becoming southeast in the morning.