In a much-anticipated turn of events, Minnesota is set to receive its first significant snowfall in over a month. The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration has projected a band of snow to cross much of the state, with snowfall expected to begin Thursday night and continue into early Friday morning.

The snowstorm is predicted to bring a considerable amount of snow to various regions of Minnesota. According to the National Weather Service, winter weather advisories have been posted for different areas, including the greater Twin Cities area, starting at 7 p.m. on Thursday.

Residents in central, east central, west central, northwest, and northeastern Minnesota should prepare for potentially hazardous road conditions due to slippery surfaces. The snow is anticipated to cause accumulations ranging from 2 to 6 inches, depending on the location.

The affected cities under the winter weather advisory include Alexandria, Long Prairie, Little Falls, Princeton, Mora, Morris, Glenwood, St. Cloud, Sauk Rapids, Elk River, Cambridge, Center City, Monticello, Minneapolis, Blaine, St. Paul, Stillwater, Chanhassen, Chaska, Victoria, Shakopee, Hastings, Moorhead, Detroit Lakes, Shoreham, Wolf Lake, Breckenridge, Lawndale, Fergus Falls, Perham, New York Mills, Parkers Prairie, Henning, Battle Lake, Wadena, Staples Airport, Menahga, Elbow Lake, Hoffman, Ashby, Erdahl, Herman, Barrett, Pine River, Brainerd, Aitkin, Pine City, and Hinckley.

The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration's latest 18Z NAM 3 km model predicts that the snow will arrive in Fargo-Moorhead around 6 p.m. to 7 p.m., and then reach the Twin Cities area between 9 p.m. and midnight. The heaviest snowfall is expected in the early hours of Friday morning, making for a challenging morning commute.

The last significant snowfall in Minnesota occurred on Valentine's Day, where the Twin Cities saw approximately 7 inches of snow. Since then, the state has experienced a relatively snow-free period. However, with this approaching snowstorm, Minnesotans are advised to prepare for winter weather conditions and exercise caution on the roads.

Stay tuned for further updates on the snowfall amounts and potential impacts as the storm progresses.