The Twin Cities National Weather Service has issued a winter storm warning for most of Minnesota as the season's first major winter storm approaches. The storm's path has shifted northward, with the latest forecast models indicating that heavier snowfall is expected to impact Minnesota, including the greater Twin Cities area.

In an update on Thursday afternoon, the southern Twin Cities region was added to the winter storm warning zone. Additionally, parts of southwest Minnesota and northern Iowa have been placed under blizzard warnings, indicating the potential for severe weather conditions. The warning zones can be viewed on the provided map.

According to the National Weather Service Twin Cities/Chanhassen, accumulating snow is projected to begin in southern and eastern Minnesota around midnight and gradually spread northward into central Minnesota and western Wisconsin overnight. This is expected to be a long-duration event, with snowfall rates of approximately 0.5 inches per hour or less. There is a higher level of confidence in snow accumulation of 6 inches or more in areas south of Redwood Falls to the southern Twin Cities metro area, extending through Chippewa county in Wisconsin.

A Winter Storm Warning has been issued for the aforementioned areas, while the rest of central Minnesota will be under a Winter Weather Advisory, with expected snow amounts ranging from 3 to 6 inches. As the forecast confidence increases, there may be a need to upgrade the advisory for portions of central Minnesota and western Wisconsin.

In addition to the snow, northwest winds will intensify on Friday afternoon and persist through Saturday, with gusts reaching up to 40 mph in parts of southwestern Minnesota. These strong winds will cause blowing snow, potentially leading to brief whiteout conditions. Following the storm, dangerously cold wind chills are anticipated for Saturday night and early next week, with widespread values of -25 to -40 expected across much of western and southern Minnesota. A Wind Chill Watch has been issued for these areas.

The approaching storm is fueled by a deepening low-pressure system that will track from Missouri to the south of Chicago on Friday. This system will draw moisture from the Gulf of Mexico and cold subzero air from the north, creating the ideal conditions for heavy snowfall across the Midwest region.

Forecast models, such as NOAA's NAM 3 km model, indicate that snow will begin in southern Minnesota early Friday morning, reaching the Twin Cities by the morning hours. Snowfall is expected to continue throughout the day on Friday and into Friday night before tapering off from west to east early Saturday.

While the heaviest snowfall totals are anticipated in areas like eastern Iowa, Milwaukee, and Chicago, southeast Minnesota communities such as Rochester, Albert Lea, Owatonna, and Winona can expect more than a foot of snow. The Twin Cities will experience varied amounts depending on the storm track, as even a slight shift can significantly impact snowfall totals in the area.

Furthermore, high winds associated with the storm will cause blowing snow and difficult travel conditions across most of Minnesota. The arrival of this storm also marks the transition to deep winter, with temperatures expected to plummet well below zero this weekend.

As winter weather finally makes its presence known, it is essential for residents to stay informed about the changing conditions and take necessary precautions to ensure their safety.