Spring snowstorm on the way

By Tom Hintgen (Contact) | The Daily Journal

Published Friday, April 25, 2008

Otter Tail County is included in areas of west central and northern Minnesota that’s expected to receive from six to 12 inches of snow and strong winds starting today and extending into Saturday morning. Motorists are urged to use extreme caution, since roadways will be hazardous.

“We’re looking at possible blizzard conditions Friday evening, with wind gusts up to 40 miles per hour,” said Dave Kellenbenz, senior meteorologist with the National Weather Service Office in Grand Forks. “Residents along 20 miles of either side of a line between Fergus Falls and Bemidji should prepare for some severe weather.”

Accumulations of snowfall will be less in areas to the west and south of Fergus Falls — in Grant County and Wilkin County. Lesser amounts also are expected in the Fargo, Crookston and Grand Forks areas.

“It’s an extremely narrow band of heavy snowfall that we’re predicting, somewhat unusual,” Kellenbenz said. “Some people could get a foot of snow and a few miles away only one or two inches of snow could be on the ground.”

Northwesterly winds of between 18 and 23 miles per hour, with gusts up to 32 mph, are expected early this afternoon. Blustery winds, in combination with the snowfall, are expected to continue this evening.

County residents felt cooler temperatures this morning, with many people putting spring jackets back in their closets and again taking out winter coats. The high today was expected to only reach 37 degrees. The low this evening is expected to get down to 27 degrees.

Higher temperatures of around 45 degrees are expected on Saturday and Sunday, as snowfall ends in most areas. Sunny skies are expected to return Monday.