Blizzard watch issued for Tuesday in western Minnesota

WILLMAR - The National Weather Service has issued a blizzard watch for Tuesday for portions of west central Minnesota.

The Willmar area remains in a winter storm watch; however, areas including Benson, Glenwood, Granite Falls, Madison, Montevideo and Morris are now in a blizzard watch.

Heavy snow and strong winds will affect west central Minnesota and much of central Minnesota on Tuesday. The Weather Service says accumulating snow will begin by daybreak Tuesday in west central Minnesota and expand across the state during the day.

Central Minnesota could see a mix of rain and snow in the morning, changing to snow.

Heavy snow will continue through Tuesday evening. Northwest winds will develop in the afternoon, reducing visibility and making travel dangerous.

Blizzard conditions are forecast in west central Minnesota, and the blizzard watch is in effect from Tuesday morning until Wednesday morning.

Snowfall amounts are expected to range from 5 to 10 inches across much of west central and central Minnesota. Higher snowfall amounts up to a foot are possible from Morris to Alexandria to Little Falls to Onamia.