Minnesota Weather: NWS Says 'Stay Home' Ahead Of Blizzard

TWIN CITIES, MN — As promised, snow and heavy winds have arrived in the Minneapolis-St. Paul metro Wednesday afternoon. The deep chill will come next. The National Weather Service is asking residents to "stay home today" as the blizzard arrives.

Between 3 to 5 inches of snow could fall during the day, and another 3 to 5 inches could fall Wednesday night. Between 6 and 10 inches of snow could fall when all is said and done.

Travel should be avoided unless absolutely necessary. The high winds and blowing snow will create blizzard and whiteout conditions.

Winds gusts in the Twin Cities metro area are expected to reach up to 60 mph.

"A Blizzard Warning is in effect this afternoon into tonight for many areas west of I-35," notes the National Weather Service.

"Whiteout conditions will develop due to heavy snow and gusts of 50 to 60 mph. Winter Storm Warnings are in effect for farther east with heavy snow and blowing snow likely. A Winter Weather Advisory is in effect for portions of Wisconsin due to lesser snowfall amounts."

Wednesday snow timeline

• 2 p.m. — Rain changes to all snow
• 3 p.m. — Winds pick up, resulting in blowing snow

3 to 5 inches possible during the day

Wednesday evening snow timeline

• Heavy, blowing snow continues until 2 a.m.
• Wind gusts will reach 40 mph.
• The low Wednesday night will hit 4 degrees below zero

Another 3 to 5 inches possible during the evening

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

Wednesday afternoon: Rain and snow, becoming all snow after 2pm. The snow could be heavy at times. Patchy blowing snow after 3pm. High near 45. Breezy, with a north northwest wind 15 to 25 mph, with gusts as high as 40 mph. Chance of precipitation is 100%. Total daytime snow accumulation of 3 to 5 inches possible.

Wednesday Night: Snow, mainly before 2am. The snow could be heavy at times. Widespread blowing snow, mainly before 1am. Low around -4. Wind chill values as low as -24. Blustery, with a northwest wind 20 to 25 mph, with gusts as high as 40 mph. Chance of precipitation is 100%. New snow accumulation of 3 to 5 inches possible.

Thursday: Patchy blowing snow before 8am. Mostly sunny and cold, with a high near 3. Wind chill values as low as -26. Blustery, with a northwest wind 15 to 20 mph, with gusts as high as 30 mph.

Thursday Night: Partly cloudy, with a low around -5. Wind chill values as low as -18. Northwest wind 5 to 15 mph.

Christmas Day: Mostly sunny, with a high near 20. West wind around 5 mph.

Friday Night: Partly cloudy, with a low around 10. West northwest wind around 5 mph.

Saturday: Mostly sunny, with a high near 24. West northwest wind around 5 mph.

Saturday Night: Mostly cloudy, with a low around 12. Calm wind becoming northeast around 5 mph after midnight.

Sunday: Mostly cloudy, with a high near 21. North wind 5 to 10 mph.

Sunday Night: A 20 percent chance of snow after 1am. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 2. North wind around 10 mph.

Monday: A 20 percent chance of snow. Mostly sunny, with a high near 14. North northwest wind around 5 mph.

Monday Night: Partly cloudy, with a low around 2. West northwest wind around 5 mph becoming calm in the evening.

Tuesday: Partly sunny, with a high near 22. South wind around 5 mph.