Two-Act Winter Blast Coming: First Snow, Then Bitter Cold

MINNEAPOLIS (WCCO) -- The weather outside is frightful. But the fire is so delightful. And since we've no place to go, let it snow, let it snow, let it snow.

Um, "no place to go"? Try again. A significant snow event is set to crash one of the busiest shopping weekends of the year.

Plows were out Friday morning getting ready. MnDOT was already warning drivers that road conditions will be challenging going into the weekend. They say the salt will take time to work with the expected extreme drop in temperature after the snow falls.

WCCO's Kylie Bearse said the snow is expected to fire up around midday, moving in from the southwest. It should fall steadily through the afternoon and into the evening.

The snow is expected to continue overnight, though more on-and-off than straight through. By noon Saturday, anywhere from 4 to 8 inches of snow is expected to fall on the lower half of the state, including the Twin Cities area, and as many as 3 to 6 in a band stretching from Alexandria and Brainerd over to Duluth.

Because of the cold temperatures, this snow is expected to be lighter and fluffier, which should make it easier to shovel, Bearse said.

Once the snow has had its say, it will yield the floor to dangerously cold air. Saturday night into Sunday morning is expected to feature low temperatures approaching 20 degrees below zero, with wind chills that feel closer to 25 or 45 degrees below zero.

A warming trend is expected to kick in Monday or Tuesday, bringing temperatures back to average or even above average.