A winter storm is bearing down on the Central Plains and the Midwest heading into the weekend and some areas could see more than a foot of snow by the time it's all over. The storm, called Winter Storm Taylor by The Weather Channel, was expected to start dropping snow in the area as early as Friday night.
On Friday, the storm was making its way across the west eastwards to the Central Plains and the Midwest where it was then expected to bring more snow. Cyclogenesis was expected to occur Friday night and early Saturday east of the Rockies, according to the National Weather Service. This happens when the low-pressure system intensifies into a stronger cyclone movement, according to the NWS.
A significant storm system will bring heavy snow from the Rockies to the Plains and upper Midwest this weekend. Severe thunderstorms containing damaging winds, large hail, and a few tornadoes are likely from the Mississippi Valley to the Gulf Coast.
— National Weather Service (@NWS) March 8, 2019
The storm was prompting winter storm warnings and winter weather advisories for much of the Dakotas, Minnesota and Nebraska. Many of those warnings didn't go into effect until Friday evening around the time the snow was expected to start in some areas.
"The surface low is forecast to intensify as it tracks towards the northeast from Kansas to Michigan through early Sunday. The atmospheric ingredients will be in place for a major winter storm from Nebraska to Wisconsin, and the potential exists for blizzard conditions across much of the eastern Dakotas and central Minnesota as the pressure gradient tightens and winds increase to over 35 mph," said the forecast from the NWS Friday morning.
A winter storm warning is issued when there is six inches of snow expected in an eight hour period, or when eight inches of snow are expected over 24 hours. A warning is also issued when there is a half inch of sleet or more expected.
A winter weather advisory is a bit more complicated to define. One is issued when there are three to five inches of snow expected in a 12-hour period, or when there is half an inch of sleet expected. Blowing snow and freezing sleet and snow can also be enough to prompt a winter weather advisory. Winter weather watches are issued when there are conditions that are favorable for a winter storm.
Here we go again, another winter storm will impact much of the region this weekend. This isn't our 1st storm, but as folks know now is a good time to prepare. Take a look at the list in the graphic for some preparedness tips before & during the storm. #mnwx #wiwx pic.twitter.com/PCLL9JPA2e
— NWS Duluth (@NWSduluth) March 8, 2019
In the Dakotas, the snow was expected to begin Friday night and continue through Saturday night. Southwest and central North Dakota were expected to be the most impacted part of the state while most of South Dakota should expect the heavy impacts of the storm. Many of those areas could expect six to eight inches of snow but across the border, in Minnesota the totals were expected to be around 11 inches in many areas.
As the storm approaches the forecasts from the NWS will be updated and people in the area should stay up to date with warnings and watches issued for where they are. The storm could cause potentially dangerous conditions, especially for those traveling.
Uncommon Knowledge
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About the writer
Nina was a breaking news reporter. She previously worked at Business Insider, The Boston Globe, and Boston.com.
