Twin Cities Face More Substantial Round of Snow

By Kristina Pydynowski, Senior Meteorologist

December 8,2012; 4:46PM,EST

Following a little snow late Friday, a second and more substantial snow event is headed to the Twin Cities.
After just under an inch of snow was measured at the Minneapolis-St. Paul International Airport late Friday, a more potent snowstorm is set to unleash a fresh 3 to 6 inches tonight into Sunday.

Snow totals will be less south of Minneapolis and St. Paul with up to a foot expected north of St. Cloud.

The snow, arriving from the Dakotas, will reach the Twin Cities shortly before midnight tonight and will continue into Sunday, but will taper to lighter snow showers for the afternoon and evening.
Motorists, including those planning to travel on interstates 35 and 94, are urged to use caution as roads will become snow-covered and treacherous.

"Flight delays may be possible at Minneapolis-St. Paul International Airport on Sunday due to snow, low visibility and wind," stated AccuWeather.com Meteorologist Meghan Evans.

For a larger version of this map, please visit the AccuWeather.com Winter Weather Center.

The gusty winds Evans alludes to will not start to howl until later Sunday. Then and into Sunday night, the winds whip the snow that falls earlier in the day around, reducing visibility and creating drifts.
Bitterly cold air will also get ushered in by the wind, sending temperatures plunging to around 6 degrees Sunday night with AccuWeather.com RealFeel® temperatures dropping down to around 15 below zero.
The invading cold will create another hazard for motorists: icy roads.
The snow on roads and interstates throughout the Twin Cities will turn slushy Sunday afternoon as the falling snow tapers off, temperatures creep above freezing and traction from vehicles' tires lead to additional melting.
Those slushy spots will quickly refreeze and turn icy Sunday evening as temperatures plunge.
Dry weather will return to the Twin Cities on Monday as less wind howls, but high temperatures will only recover to around 16 degrees.

On Wednesday, Feb. 10, 2010, a car makes its way through a snow-clogged Minneapolis street. (AP Photo/Jim Mone)