Leave early, snow expected to slow Friday morning drive

Thursday's anticipated snowstorm has been downgraded from earlier predictions, but a few inches are expected to fall just in time for Friday morning's commute.

According to the National Weather Service's forecast, the snow will begin falling around midnight in southern Minnesota and when it's all said and done, 4-5 inches will be on the ground by Friday afternoon.

In the Twin Cities, the brunt of the snowstorm happens between 3 a.m and 9 a.m., leaving 3-4 inches.

FOX9 agrees, 1-2 inches will likely slow the morning rush hour in the metro and another couple inches will fall in the afternoon. They expect a range of 3-5 inches up here and 4-6 inches down south. Along the Minnesota/Iowa border, KARE 11 says more than a half foot is expected.

KSTP is also on the same page, but warns of more accumulation coming Monday into Tuesday next week, which won't be the last of February snow.

WCCO plays it up a bit, saying up to 6 inches of light and fluffy snow is expected in the Twin Cities and by 5 or 6 a.m., 4 inches could be on the ground in the south metro.

"Take all the snowfall predictions and divide by 2. That will be closer to reality," Paul Douglas says. "Mother Nature always finds a new and creative way to trip you up."

Friday's snow system is the 8th to sail overhead this month, according to MPR.