Revised forecasts are predicting nearly 10 inches of snow in the Twin Cities, with the season's first wintry wallop expected to start Monday and last into Tuesday.
The first hints of snow in the metro area should show up in the southern suburbs just as the morning commute is wrapping up Monday, according to the National Weather Service.
The rest of the metro area as well as all of east-central Minnesota will join the snow party later in the morning as the storm marches north, the NWS added.
"Amounts near 10 inches" are possible, reads a winter storm watch issued Sunday afternoon by the weather service. "Travel conditions will be difficult," the agency said.
Such a deep snow total in the forecast is sure to accelerate sales of snow shovels and gas for snowblowers.
The NWS breaks it down this way for the Twin Cities: 1 to 3 inches of snow during the day Monday, another 2 to 4 Monday night, followed by 1 to 3 inches Tuesday. The rest of the week looks snowfall-free.
"We all need to be ready to drive on a different road surface," said Kevin Gutknecht, spokesman for the Minnesota Department of Transportation. "The potential of snow-covered roads with slippery spots is good."
Gutknecht said his agency's crews have already been preparing for the storm and won't be caught by surprise.
"We've done some pre-treating," he said. "We will be tracking the weather and will have plows on the road when the snow needs to be moved."
He also reminds motorists to give plows room to work. "Tailgating is not a good idea in general, [and] tailgating a plow is a really bad idea."
Temperatures will top just below or above freezing all week, with lows from the mid-20s down to the mid-teens.
Paul Walsh • 612-673-4482
