Weather Service issues winter storm watch for west central Minnesota

A winter storm watch has been issued for much of west central Minnesota from Monday night through Tuesday night, according to the National Weather Service-Twin Cities. The system will start with freezing rain late Monday and likely transition to snow Tuesday.

By Tom Cherveny

December 11, 2022 03:00 PM

WILLMAR — The National Weather Service has issued a winter storm watch for west central Minnesota as a one-two punch of snow and ice with high winds moves into the region on Monday night.

Warm air Monday will create freezing rain potential across southwest and west central Minnesota, according to the National Weather Service-Twin Cities.

The storm watch is in effect from late Monday night through Tuesday evening.

The Weather Service is expecting a mix of accumulating freezing rain and snow. Two to four inches of snow and up to two-tenths of an inch of ice is anticipated. Winds could gust as high as 45 miles per hour.

The winter storm watch is issued for the region including Kandiyohi and Big Stone, Chippewa, Lac qui Parle, Pope, Redwood, Renville, Swift, and Yellow Medicine counties. While Meeker County and areas to the east may escape the full brunt of the storm, accumulating snow and ice are forecast as well.

Hazardous road conditions with ice, snow and high winds are likely from late Monday night through Tuesday evening. The area should see a break on Wednesday, but accumulating snow is forecast for Thursday on the backside of the system.

Temperatures will turn colder Tuesday increasing the possibility of heavy snowfall rates possible in west central Minnesota, according to the National Weather Service-Twin Cities.

More by Tom Cherveny:

More snow is expected later in the week, according to the National Weather Service-Twin Cities. After a precipitation lull Wednesday, a multi-inch snow accumulation to occur in western Minnesota and move eastward.

By Tom Cherveny

Tom Cherveny is a regional and outdoors reporter for the West Central Tribune.
He has been a reporter with the West Central Tribune since 1993.

Cherveny can be reached via email at tcherveny@wctrib.com or by phone at 320-214-4335.

Weather Service issues winter storm watch for west central Minnesota

A one-two punch of snow and high along with strong winds will make for hazardous travel conditions late Monday through Tuesday evening in west central Minnesota.