Rochester, MN (KROC AM News) - The National Weather Service has expanded the area of southern Minnesota included in its blizzard warning to include Rochester.

In fact, the warning zone now includes a 50-100 mile area on both sides of the Minnesota/Iowa border between South Dakota and Wisconsin.

Although heavy snow is the main concern, the storm could also produce thunderstorms in the warning zone Thursday night.

Snow is expected to begin by early Friday and it could fall at a rate of two inches per hour. By the time the storm moves out of the region, snowfall totals could be in the 10 to 16 inch range.

The storm will definitely have an impact on travel, as winds of 30-45 mph will develop Friday, leading to whiteout conditions and drifting snow.

For the latest weather updates and weather-related announcements, be sure to check krocam.com.

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