A blizzard warning is in effect for parts of western Minnesota and northeastern South Dakota until Tuesday night. A blizzard was confirmed in Aberdeen, South Dakota on Tuesday afternoon with low visibility and winds of 35-49 mph.
Blizzard warnings have been issued for parts of the Upper Midwest as a powerful blizzard brings the potential to ruin Thanksgiving travel plans.
Thanksgiving travel in the Great Lakes snowbelt may be disrupted, as the Fox Forecast Center keeps an eye on the most significant lake-effect snow event of the season so far, starting Wednesday, through Thanksgiving Day and Black Friday.
The National Weather Service office in Aberdeen, South Dakota confirmed the blizzard on Tuesday afternoon, reporting winds between 35 and 49 mph and significantly reduced visibility at Aberdeen Regional Airport since Tuesday morning.
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Drive slowly: Multiple vehicle congestion has occurred in Clay County, Minnesota this evening as winter weather has created unsafe travel conditions in the area. When traveling for holidays this week, make sure to drive slowly and safely.
A blizzard warning is in effect for parts of western Minnesota, northeastern South Dakota, northern Michigan and northwestern Wisconsin through Tuesday, with some alerts continuing through Friday.
More than six inches of snowfall was recorded in parts of North Dakota on Tuesday afternoon.
Wind gusts up to 50 mph could occur in Michigan’s Upper Peninsula as well as the lower reaches of Lakes Erie and Ontario in Ohio, western Pennsylvania and western New York, creating whiteout and life-threatening driving conditions by Friday.
(Fox Weather)
The National Weather Service (NWS) has issued a winter storm warning for those locations beginning Wednesday, which will last through Friday evening. All told, computer forecast models are increasingly confident that Michigan’s Upper Peninsula will receive snowfall measured in feet.
The NWS office in Marquette advised people in the UP of Michigan to alter their holiday plans and avoid traveling on Wednesday and Thanksgiving Day.
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(Fox Weather)
This blizzard will follow a system from the northern Plains that is expected to bring much of the rain to the Great Lakes on Tuesday. Snow will likely be limited to the Dakotas and Minnesota, with a wintry mix expected by Wednesday, driven by a fast-moving system from the northern Plains.
An initial round of moisture will return to Canada sometime on Wednesday, but arctic air is expected to wrap up behind that system, leading to significant lake-effect snowfall in upstate Michigan.
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(Fox Weather)
The change from rain to snow itself can create dangerous driving conditions, although the exact timing of the change is not entirely clear. People who need to travel to the area on Wednesday afternoon should stay updated on the latest forecasts.
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By Thanksgiving Day, lake-effect snowfall will begin in full force across the UP and snow streaks may become intense and long-lasting. Marquette could see 2-3 feet of snow by Friday, although total snow will be highly dependent on wind direction.
(Fox Weather)
Meanwhile, the Fox Forecast Center said forecast uncertainty remains high around Lake Erie and Ontario. But currently, computer forecast models are agreeing that the heaviest snow bands will set in counties just south of Buffalo, New York, covering locations around Dunkirk and Jamestown.
Winds are expected to change Friday and push the snowpack southward, according to the Fox Forecast Center.
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Some Snowbelt locations in Ohio, Pennsylvania and western New York could see a foot or more of snow during Black Friday.
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Be sure to check back with Fox Weather for the latest on this developing story.
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