Narrow band of intense snow to bring up to 7 inches to Minnesota

The taste of spring Minnesota had the past few days will be wiped out be a quick shot of snow late Saturday night and Sunday morning, and the totals could be quite impressive where a narrow band of heavy precipitation sets up. 

According to the National Weather Service, there could be a narrow corridor that ends up with 5-7 inches of snow. That's where a winter storm watch has been issued in southwestern Minnesota, while a winter weather advisory is in place further east and north, including the Twin Cities, where 2-4 inches of snow could accumulate. 

"Forecasting the exact location is difficult due to the small area impacted and uncertainties in the set up," says the NWS. 

"A band of snow will set up from southwestern Minnesota up through northwest Wisconsin as a surface low deepens across Iowa. Snowfall totals generally look to be in the 2 to 4 inch range with amounts quickly tapering off on either side of the band," the NWS explains. 

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The weather service notes that locally higher amounts are possible in areas that are forecast to get 2-4 inches. This map could change with any slight shift in the storm track. 

Here's the 8 a.m. radar simulation from the NAM computer model, which shows the snow beginning in southwest Minnesota Saturday evening and reaching the Twin Cities by midnight. The snow could be over and done with around noon Sunday. 

The second half of next week looks to see much warmer temperatures, as March rolls in like a lamb as temperatures in the first half of the month will be above normal, possibly reaching 50 degrees alter next week.