Rochester, MN (KROC-AM News)- Communities in southeast Minnesota, including Rochester, will be under a Blizzard Warning Thursday.  

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The National Weather Service is predicting 3-7 inches of light powdery snow to fall on the region Wednesday night and taper off Thursday morning. Forecasters then expect wind speeds to increase Thursday afternoon which will cause the snow to blow and drift and create white-out conditions. 

Forecasters expect the strongest wind gusts to occur Thursday night through Friday with wind gusts as high as 50 mph. The Blizzard warning begins at 6 p.m. Thursday and is scheduled to expire at 6 a.m. Saturday. 

Wind chill values are expected to fall to as cold as -40 Thursday night through Saturday. The anticipated blowing snow is expected to create slippery roads and significantly reduce visibility. 

blizzard, state of emergency, olmsted county, Rochester
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The National Weather Service has altered the region’s Winter Storm Warning to begin at 3 p.m. Wednesday and expire at 6 p.m. Thursday. The Winter Storm Warning includes communities in southern Minnesota, Iowa and Western Wisconsin. 

Officials are advising residents to restrict travel for emergencies only. The warnings urge anyone traveling during the storm to keep an extra flashlight, food, and water in their vehicle. 

MnDOT is encouraging travelers to check for road conditions along their routes. Rochester Public Schools is one of many organizations to alter its schedule ahead of the winter storm.

 

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