High Winds, Blizzard Conditions Expected Across the Plains, Upper Midwest Into Monday (FORECAST)

Quincy Vagell
Published: February 6,2016





 
A low-pressure system driving southeastward from Canada, known as an “Alberta clipper," will bring strong winds and blizzard conditions to portions of the northern Plains and Upper Midwest through early Monday, despite producing only modest snowfall.
Blizzard watches and warnings have been issued by the National Weather Service from parts of the Dakotas into parts of Minnesota and Iowa, while high wind watches and warnings are posted from Montana's Rocky Mountain Front to parts of Nebraska.

Winter Weather Alerts

Although the storm may not drop hefty amounts of snow, winds will increase through the weekend, causing blowing snow and near-zero visibility in some locations.
This storm will also usher in a blast of Arctic air in its wake.
(MORE: Chilly Blast Coming Early Next Week)
Here is an overview of what to expect across the region over the weekend.

Mild Weather Comes to an End

As low pressure approaches the U.S. border, a steepening pressure gradient has caused winds to increase over much of Montana, eastern Wyoming and the Dakotas. Sustained winds of 20 to 40 mph are likely with some gusts exceeding 60 mph.

Possible Blizzard Setup

With these stiff winds blowing down the slope of the Rockies, a short-lived surge of unseasonably mild air affected the region on Saturday. High temperatures reached the low and mid-50s over the western Dakotas, or about 10 to 20 degrees above average for early February, including a daily record high at Bismarck, North Dakota.
(FORECAST: Billings | Bismarck | Minneapolis | Sioux City)
While the weekend started dry and mild, this weather pattern will come to an abrupt end.

Blizzard Conditions Developing Sunday

The Alberta clipper frontal system drives southeast across the Great Lakes, Mississippi Valley and central Plains Sunday. Gusty winds will follow the track of the system, overspreading parts of Nebraska, northern Kansas, Minnesota and Iowa, and continuing in the Dakotas.
Areas of light to moderate snow shift east from the eastern Dakotas into much of the Upper Midwest and northern Great Lakes Sunday.
(FORECAST: Grand Forks | Grand Rapids | Milwaukee)

Sunday's Forecast

The combination of winds between 20 and 30 mph with gusts over 45 mph and falling snow may cause blizzard conditions for several hours on Sunday and Sunday night. This means that visibility could fall below one-quarter mile, creating dangerous, whiteout conditions that may last into early Monday.
Since this clipper will be moving quickly with a limited amount of moisture, snowfall totals are generally expected to range from 1 to 4 inches across the region. While a few areas in northern Minnesota could approach 6 inches, snowfall amounts to the south across Iowa and farther east into southern Wisconsin should be held to an inch or less.

Forecast Snowfall This Weekend

Keep in mind that even after the snow stops falling, gusty winds can cause blowing and drifting snow, resulting in ground blizzard conditions. This will be the biggest forecast impact from this system.These reductions in visibility may occur suddenly, not just from blowing snow, but also in quick bursts of brief snow showers.
(INFOGRAPHIC: What is a Blizzard?)
Anyone with travel plans across the eastern Dakotas and Upper Midwest on Sunday into Monday morning should prepare for hazardous driving conditions. The following stretches of interstate may experience blizzard or near-blizzard conditions: I-29 from Sioux City to the Canadian border; I-35 from Des Moines to Duluth; I-90 from eastern South Dakota into southern Minnesota; I-94 from eastern North Dakota to western Wisconsin.

Forecast Sustained Winds Sunday

Scattered snow showers or flurries may linger across much of the region into early Monday, but the bigger story will be much colder air that arrives to start the work week.
Check back with weather.com for the latest forecast information.
MORE: Valentine's Day Blizzard of 2007