Dynamic Weekend Storm Aiming at Minnesota Could Impact Power Grid

Rochester, MN (KROC-AM News) - The storm system that is forecast to race across Minnesota overnight is predicted to produce some significant snowfall totals in parts of the state.

Now the National Weather Service is warning about the potential for ice and its impact on the power grid as a concern this weekend when a larger and more powerful late winter storm system is predicted to hit the state.

The National Weather Service describes it as a "dynamic system."

A low pressure center is expected to move out of the Rocky Mountains Saturday night and pull plenty of moisture into the region, creating the potential for heavy accumulating snow and/or significant icing and rain starting early Sunday and running into early next week.

At this point, there is still a great deal of uncertainty about the track of the storm system and forecasters say that will determine the rain versus snow totals, and where the highest precipitation will occur.

The National Weather Service says a shift to the west would likely produce more rain and the risk of icing in Minnesota, while a shift to the east would increase the potential for heavy snow.

Get our free mobile app

The current forecast models show a high confidence that the storm will produce a broad swath of 6 inches or more of snow accumulation in Minnesota, with the Twin Cities and areas just to the south and west of the Twin Cities facing the highest probability of snowfall totals in excess of 6 inches.

Still, the National Weather Service says the Rochester area currently faces a 60-70% chance of seeing more than 6 inches of accumulation from the storm.

While hazardous driving conditions will be the primary impact of the late winter storm, the National Weather Service says interruptions to the power grid across the region is also a concern depending on how much icing occurs and with winds of 25 to 35 mph expected.

NWS forecasters also stress that “‘there are a lot of moving parts with this system so expect changes to this forecast as we get closer to this storm occurring.”

More Minnesota News:

• Rochester Area Job Market is Minnesota's Strongest
• Rochester City Councilman Announces Bid for Council President
• Update: Sparks Fly in Rochester Hot Air Balloon Accident (Video)