Minnesota Weather: Big Weekend Storm To Bring Snow And Rain; Arrowhead Could See 14 Inches

MINNEAPOLIS (WCCO) -- Precipitation in all forms is coming to Minnesota this weekend in one long, messy storm.

WCCO Meteorologist Chris Shaffer says there is a Winter Storm Warning in place for almost the entire state. Heavy, wet snow is expected for western and northern Minnesota, while 1 to 2 inches of rain is expected in the Twin Cities and the southeastern part of the state -- which could lead to some flooding.

Despite the storm roiling through, Saturday will be another mild one across the state temperature-wise. The storm system moves in overnight, bringing snow and mixed precipitation in the morning, making for dangerous travel conditions across the state. Snow will fall steady in northern Minnesota from early Saturday through Monday, with sizable snow totals expected.

The wintry mix will turn to rain in the Twin Cities by afternoon, which will continue to fall through mid-Sunday. After a lull, snow will swoop down from the north into the Twin Cities late Sunday night. It will complicate the Monday morning commute, and leave about 2 inches of accumulation by the afternoon.

Fargo, Bemidji, Brainerd, Grand Rapids, Duluth and Grand Marais could see anywhere between 8 to 14 inches of snow by the time the system leaves the state, with the heaviest snow falling in the northeast. Totals south of St. Cloud are between a half inch and 3 inches, with far southern Minnesota getting the least accumulation.

As the storm passes, heavy winds will push Monday to blow all the fresh snow around. Our first chance to exhale arrives Tuesday, making for a quiet New Year's eve and day.