BELTRAMI COUNTY ON THE EDGE OF THE HEAVIER SNOW

Emergency Managers across the area just received a brief from the National Weather Service with some of the impacts expected from this monster winter storm that is setting up to take aim at northern Minnesota. Snow totals will vary greatly across short distances and there are many variables about how much snow we will see. As this storm has developed over the last couple of days, it has been tracking further to the north and west, shifting the heavier precipitation from right over Beltrami County to our northwest. Right now, it looks like the heaviest axis of snow is going to be across northern SD, central/eastern ND, and northwestern MN.

For Beltrami County... the northwestern parts of the county, generally north and west of the Red Lakes could see between 10-20" of snow and possibly a band that sees over 20" of snow. South and east of the Red Lakes could see anywhere between 5-10" of snow. There is certainly the possibility of some freezing rain or mixed precipitation over the southern part of the county. Depending on the exact storm track and how much mixed or liquid precipitation we receive, snow totals could go up or down. Winds will be gusty causing some blowing and drifting snow. Towards the Red River Valley and into ND is where the extreme blizzard conditions are expected with winds over 50mph and 1-2" snowfall rates per hour, travel will likely be impossible Monday into Tuesday in the RRV. Winds will not be as strong in the forested areas of Minnesota, but where the heavy snow develops it will cause reduced visibilities.

This will certainly be the "storm of the season" for some parts of the region. Expect blizzard and winter storm warnings to be posted this afternoon or this evening. Remember, not everyone will see the extreme snowfall totals and totals will vary greatly across short distances.