Rochester, MN (KROC-AM News)- The most recent forecasting models have relocated a narrow band of heavy snow expected from an approaching storm to the southeast corner of Minnesota with the Rochester area smack in the middle of it.

The National Weather Service Wednesday afternoon posted a winter storm warning for a small slice of the region that covers Olmsted, Wabasha, Mower, Dodge and Goodhue Counties from 3 AM until 6 PM on Thursday. Surrounding counties are under a winter weather advisory.

At this point, forecasters are predicting drizzle and rain will develop late Wednesday tonight and rapidly change over to snow when a cold front sweeps across the region early Thursday. A wintry mix is possible before the precipitation changes to all snow and the snowfall totals in the warning area could be on the 3-7 inch range, with blowing snow and drifting expected in open areas.

The storm system is predicted to be pushed to the east by a high-pressure center that will pull bitter cold arctic air into the region, where it’s expected to remain into the middle of next week. The National Weather Service is forecasting a return to single-digit above zero highs and lows in the teens below zero.

 

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