Weather Service: Strong spring storm will likely miss metro but set to hammer southeastern Minnesota

The metro area appears to be off the hook as a strong, late winter storm moves through the Upper Midwest, but southeastern Minnesota remains in its path and could see a half-foot of snow or more.

"The I-90 corridor will still be getting hammered," said Brent Hewett, a meteorologist with the National Weather Service in Chanhassen. "If you are in Rochester, you should be preparing for a significant blizzard-type storm."

The storm originally predicted to bring 3 to 5 inches of heavy wet snow to the metro area on Wednesday with heavier totals in the southern and eastern suburbs has shifted southward, diminishing the odds of any heavy snow in the Twin Cities

"We will see very little snow in the metro," Hewett said. "It's still a pretty impressive system for southern Minnesota."

Anywhere from a trace in the Twin Cities to an inch or two in southern Dakota County is expected to fall throughout the day, but 6 to 8 inches of snow could pile up just a few miles down the road, Hewett said.

Winter weather advisories and watches covering an area from Marshall to the metro will likely be cut back or dropped when a new forecast comes out Tuesday afternoon, Hewett said.

A blizzard warning covering south-central Minnesota will remain in effect, with several inches of snow expected on a line from Fairmont to Albert Lea to Rochester and into western Wisconsin, Hewett said.

Just how much snow will fall largely depends on where you live.

"There will be a pretty sharp cut off," Hewett said.

Meteorologists are closely watching as the storm continues to approach and its exact path remains uncertain.

Winds blowing as strong as 40 mph will accompany any snowfall, making it feel "chilly and breezy" in the metro and across southern Minnesota, he added.

Blizzard conditions along the I-90 corridor could make for tough travel Wednesday, the Minnesota Department of Transportation said.

"If you have travel plans on Wednesday keep a close eye on the forecast," the agency said. "Strong winds combined with heavy snow in south-central Minnesota could significantly impact your commute."

Precipitation will start out as rain after midnight Tuesday before changing over to snow as temperatures tumble from the 50s into the 30s, the Weather Service said.

Whatever falls could be tough to shovel, prompting the Weather Service to remind people to stay hydrated, dress warm, move only small amounts of snow at a time and take frequent breaks.

"Push the snow, don't lift," the Weather Service said.