Winter Storm and Blizzard Warnings Issued for Redwood County; Heavy Snow and Whiteout Conditions Expected

Alert Details

The National Weather Service in Twin Cities/Chanhassen has issued a Winter Storm Warning followed by a Blizzard Warning for Redwood County. The Winter Storm Warning is in effect starting at 7 PM this evening, transitioning to a Blizzard Warning on Sunday morning as wind speeds increase and visibility drops.

Affected Areas

This alert specifically impacts Redwood County, Minnesota.

Expected Conditions

Residents should prepare for a dangerous combination of heavy precipitation and high winds:

• Precipitation: During the Winter Storm Warning, total snow accumulations of 4 to 7 inches are expected, along with sleet accumulations of one-third of an inch and ice accumulations of one-tenth of an inch. An additional 1 to 3 inches of snow is expected during the Blizzard Warning phase.
• Wind: Northwest winds will increase to 30 to 40 mph, with gusts reaching as high as 50 to 55 mph on Sunday.
• Visibility: The combination of falling and blowing snow will create whiteout conditions, making travel treacherous and potentially life-threatening.
• Infrastructure: The heavy water content of the snow may lead to infrastructure damage and poses a health hazard for those shoveling.

Timeline

• Winter Storm Warning: Effective from 7:00 PM this evening until 10:00 AM CDT Sunday.
• Blizzard Warning: Effective from 10:00 AM Sunday until 4:00 AM CDT Monday.
• Peak Impact: Travel is expected to become very difficult or impossible starting late tonight and lasting through Sunday evening.

What You Should Do

Travel should be restricted to emergencies only. If you must travel, keep a winter survival kit in your vehicle. If you get stranded, stay with your vehicle. Prepare now for potential road closures and shelter in place before conditions worsen. Check road conditions by calling 5 1 1 or visiting 511mn.org. Remember that if interstate highways are closed, secondary state and county roads will also be impassable.