Winter storm warnings remain for west central Minnesota, blizzard warning issued for later today for parts of region

Another dangerous winter winter storm is on the way for west central Minnesota this afternoon into tonight and New Years morning.

Winds have decreased temporarily over west central Minnesota early this morning, but northwest winds will increase again later today and especially late tonight and Saturday as a second storm system moves toward Minnesota, according to the National Weather Service in Chanhassen.

Winter storm warnings remain in effect for today and tonight across west central Minnesota and portions of central Minnesota as a second low pressure storm system moves northward toward Minnesota.

A new blizzard warning will be in effect for far western Minnesota late tonight and Saturday morning. This blizzard warning includes the counties of Big Stone, Chippewa, Douglas, Lac qui Parle, Pope, Stevens, Swift, Travis and Yellow Medicine. The blizzard warning extends northward into the Red River Valley of northwestern Minnesota and eastern North Dakota.

A winter weather advisories remain in effect for the rest of central, east central and south central Minnesota for today and tonight.

Snow mixed with sleet at first will develop across west central and portions of central Minnesota by this afternoon as a second low pressure system arrives from the Central Plains.

The snow will likely be heavy at times. Another four to nine inches of snow is likely by Saturday morning in areas west of a line from Redwood Falls to Litchfield to Little Falls. The larger snowfall totals will occur northwest of a line from Long Prairie to Canby. Continuing strong north winds this afternoon with even stronger winds tonight will lead to blowing and drifting snow and whiteout conditions.

Further to the east in the advisory area, sleet and freezing rain are expected this afternoon into this early evening, changing over to snow. Ice accumulations will likely occur, possibly up to an inch. Snow accumulations of one to three inches may occur.

Temperatures will drop once again tonight, reaching to below zero values for western Minnesota by late tonight and close to it in eastern Minnesota by daybreak Saturday. Wind chills of 15 to 25 below zero are expected by late tonight and Saturday morning.