NWS predicts bigger storm to hit tonight

Austin already received 1.4 inches of snow by 7 a.m., but the heavier white stuff is on the way.

The National Weather Service expects the storm to move east across the area Monday, dropping 1 to 3 inches of snow before gradually weakening. Some freezing drizzle may occur as the snow diminishes west of the Mississippi River.

Then, the NWS expects the second and heavier round of snow to develop tonight and Tuesday morning. That round could significantly impact the Tuesday morning commute, and could make traveling dangerous or near impossible, the NWS says.

The NWS predicts this round to dump 2 to 6 inches of snow by sunrise Tuesday, and another 3 to 8 inches by Tuesday evening. NWS Meteorologist Jeff Boyne said totals for the Austin area may be closer to 8 inches after the second storm breaks on Tuesday. The area has not received as much snow as initially expected.

The greatest accumulations are expected east of Mower County and around the Mississippi River. Mason City, Iowa, recorded one of the highest totals as of this morning with 3 inches.

The NWS says winds could blow and drift the snow Tuesday afternoon, especially across unsheltered areas of southeast Minnesota. Boyne doesn’t expect there will be enough wind to create severe blizzard conditions in Mower County, though. Still, he said it’s important people know there are two storm systems. The first round of snow will taper before the second system will dump significant amounts of snow throughout the region.

“Some people might be thinking it’s over,” Boyne said. “All around, we’ve always been talking it’s two separate systems.”

The storm is expected to slowly die down on Tuesday, and temperatures will become warmer into the weekend. Boyne added there may be a chance of a rain-snow mix over the weekend, as well.

Go to austindailyherald.com for updates as they become available.