Weekend snowfall could reach 6 inches in southwest Minnesota; less for the metro
Marshall, Mankato, Pipestone, Worthington, Albert Lea and surrounding areas of southwest and south-central Minnesota could wind up with some rather hefty snow totals from late Saturday night through Sunday.
A winter weather advisory has been issued for the area where 4-6 inches, possibly isolated amounts of 6+ inches, are expected.
Snow totals will taper to the northeast of a line from Granite Falls to Mankato and Albert Lea, with anywhere from a dusting to 2 inches possible in the metro area.
"Snowfall will develop in southwestern MN this evening and gradually spread east late tonight through Sunday, diminishing Sunday evening," the National Weather Service says.
A typical snowstorm will have snow/liquid ratios of 10/1, meaning every one inch of liquid results in about 10 inches of snow. This system, according to the NWS, has a much higher ratio of around 18/1, meaning snow will pile up a little faster and lead to higher totals.
Another storm system could bring snow to southern Minnesota in the Tuesday-Wednesday timeframe, but that's too far out to guarantee or lock down any details about how strong the system might be.