Update: Valentine's Day Storm Brings Heavy Snow and Hundreds of Crashes to Minnesota 

Rochester, MN (KROC-AM News)- The National Weather Service has a clearer picture of the first significant snowfall in about a month that’s set to arrive in Minnesota Wednesday. 

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The latest forecast indicates the majority of southern Minnesota will see flakes fly on Valentines Day. Parts of the state are in a Winter Storm Warning as forecasted snow totals have increased.

Lincoln and Lyon Counties in Western Minnesota are under a Winter Storm Warning that’s set to begin at 11 a.m. and end at 9 p.m. Wednesday. Communities in those counties could see 4-7 inches, the National Weather Service says. 

In southeast Minnesota, Olmsted, Dodge, Goodhue Winona and Wabasha Counties are under a Winter Weather Advisory that takes effect at 9 p.m. Wednesday and ends at 6 a.m. Thursday. 

NWS La Crosse
NWS La Crosse
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The advisory area also includes the seven-county Twin Cities Metro and counties to the west of Rochester and the Twin Cities. Snowfall projections in the advisory area vary from as low as two inches in Rochester to as high as four inches in Northfield. 

The Winter Weather Advisory, issued Tuesday night, predicts the snowfall will leave slippery travel conditions in its wake Thursday morning. Forecasters say snowfall rates could reach one inch per hour for short periods of time. 

Snowplow camera at Hwy. 52 and 65th St. NW in Rochester. MnDOT
Snowplow camera at Hwy. 52 and 65th St. NW in Rochester. MnDOT
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The track of the heavier bands of snow are still uncertain as of Wednesday morning, however the higher snow totals are predicted to fall between Rochester and the Twin Cities. Communities south of Rochester along the Minnesota-Iowa border are predicted to be spared from notable snow accumulation. 

For real-time road conditions as well as weather-related announcements for Rochester and southeast Minnesota download the free KROC News App.

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