A potent winter storm is still on track for Tuesday night and Wednesday morning with the area looking at around 4-8+" of new snow. Although the timing of the storm is becoming much clearer, the track of the storm is still up in the air. As of right now, all of us are under a Winter Storm Watch during the time-frame - the question left is if we'll all be upgraded to a warning or downgraded to a Winter Weather Advisory.

The magic number is 6. 6" of snow will determine the severity of this winter system. Those of us looking to reach 6+" of snow will be upgraded. As of now, southern Minnesota and western Wisconsin are on track to receive the most snow, ranging from 6-10".

North Iowa will be seeing some rain mixed in, looking around 4-6" of snowfall. The track of the storm has yet to be nailed down and even the tiniest of shifts will alter these snow numbers. Regardless, travel will be majorly impacted during this busy travel week all across the nation. It would be best to alter travel plans if you can.

Monday and Thanksgiving Thursday look to be the best travel days because another potential storm heads in for Friday through Sunday.

Winter Storm Warning
Areas Affected: Blue Earth; Carver; Dakota; Faribault; Freeborn; Goodhue; Le Sueur; McLeod; Nicollet; Rice; Scott; Sibley; Steele; Waseca

NWS Minneapolis (Southern Minnesota)
...HOLIDAY TRAVEL WILL BE BE SIGNIFICANTLY IMPACTED TUESDAY NIGHT AND WEDNESDAY DUE TO HEAVY SNOW AND BLOWING SNOW... .A Winter Storm Warning has been issued for portions of southwest, south central, and east central Minnesota, and all of west central Wisconsin starting late Tuesday afternoon, and continuing through Wednesday morning. The warning includes areas along the Buffalo Ridge in west central Minnesota, and areas southeast of a line from Redwood Falls, to Hutchinson, Clearwater, Princeton and Rush City in Minnesota. Snowfall totals of 6 or more inches are likely in the warned area, with locally higher amounts possible. In addition, gusty northeast winds Tuesday night will shift to the northwest Wednesday, resulting in areas of blowing snow. Travel could be significantly impacted through at least Wednesday morning. Due to some uncertainties in the snowfall amounts, a Winter Storm Watch remains in effect Tuesday afternoon through Wednesday morning north of the Minnesota River from Granite Falls to St. Cloud and Milaca. Snowfall totals of 6 or more inches are still possible in the watch area. Snow will develop across southern Minnesota late Tuesday afternoon and spread northeastward across southern, and east central Minnesota, and into west central Wisconsin Tuesday night. The snow will be heavy at times. Snow will end from west to east Wednesday morning, but blowing snow could continue into the afternoon. ...WINTER STORM WARNING IN EFFECT FROM 6 PM TUESDAY TO NOON CST WEDNESDAY...

* WHAT...Heavy snow expected. Total snow accumulations of 5 to 8 inches, with locally higher amounts possible. Winds gusting as high as 40 mph.

* WHERE...Portions of central, east central, south central and southeast Minnesota.

* WHEN...From 6 PM Tuesday to noon CST Wednesday.

* IMPACTS...Travel could be very difficult. Areas of blowing snow could significantly reduce visibility. The hazardous conditions could impact the morning commute.

If you must travel, keep an extra flashlight, food, and water in your vehicle in case of an emergency. The latest road conditions for the state you are calling from can be obtained by calling 5 1 1.

Winter Storm Warning
Areas Affected: Calhoun; Cerro Gordo; Crawford; Emmet; Hancock; Humboldt; Kossuth; Palo Alto; Pocahontas; Sac; Webster; Winnebago; Worth; Wright

NWS DesMoines (Central Iowa)
...Strong Winter Storm with Heavy Snow and Potent Winds to Impact Western and Northern Iowa Late Tuesday into Wednesday Morning... ...WINTER STORM WARNING IN EFFECT FROM 6 PM TUESDAY TO NOON CST WEDNESDAY...

* WHAT...Moderate to heavy Snow and strong north to northwest winds. Near Blizzard conditions are expected in far northern Iowa. Total snow accumulations of 4 to 8 inches. Highest amounts will be near the Minnesota border. Winds gusting from 35 to 45 mph with a few of up to 50 mph.

* WHERE...Portions of western and northern Iowa.

* WHEN...From 6 PM Tuesday to noon CST Wednesday.

* IMPACTS...Travel is likely to become very difficult with significant blowing snow reducing visibility and even leading to near blizzard conditions at times. In addition, slick and snow covered roads will lead to treacherous traveling conditions.

If you must travel, keep an extra flashlight, food, and water in your vehicle in case of an emergency. The latest road conditions for the state you are calling from can be obtained by calling 5 1 1.

Winter Weather Advisory
Areas Affected: Carroll; Franklin

NWS DesMoines (Central Iowa)
...Strong Winter Storm with Heavy Snow and Potent Winds to Impact Western and Northern Iowa Late Tuesday into Wednesday Morning... ...WINTER WEATHER ADVISORY IN EFFECT FROM 6 PM TUESDAY TO NOON CST WEDNESDAY...

* WHAT...Moderate snow and some light mixed precipitation expected. Total snow accumulations of 2 to 4 inches and ice accumulations of a light glaze. Winds gusting as high as 45 mph.

* WHERE...Portions of West Central into Northern Iowa.

* WHEN...From 6 PM Tuesday to noon CST Wednesday.

* IMPACTS...Plan on slippery road conditions. Areas of blowing snow could significantly reduce visibility. The hazardous conditions could impact the morning or evening commute.

Slow down and use caution while traveling. The latest road conditions for the state you are calling from can be obtained by calling 5 1 1.

Winter Storm Watch
Areas Affected: Dodge; Fillmore; Mower; Olmsted; Wabasha; Winona

NWS LaCrosse (Southwestern Wisconsin, Southeastern Minnesota, and Northeast Iowa)
...Hazardous Travel Expected Tuesday Night into Wednesday... .Hazardous driving conditions are expected Tuesday night into Wednesday as a winter storm brings accumulating snow and gusty winds to the region. A band of 5 to locally 10 inches will be possible for portions of northeast Iowa, southeast Minnesota, and west central into north central Wisconsin. A Winter Storm Watch is in effect from Tuesday evening through Wednesday morning for those areas. The possibility still exists that the storm track could change some. Should the storm shift further north, snow amounts will be less over these areas. Slight variations in temperature could also change amounts. If you are planning to travel Tuesday night or Wednesday, be sure to check on the latest forecasts as the storm approaches. ...WINTER STORM WATCH REMAINS IN EFFECT FROM TUESDAY EVENING THROUGH WEDNESDAY MORNING...

* WHAT...Heavy snow possible. Total snow accumulations of 5 to 10 inches possible. Winds could gust as high as 35 to 40 mph.

* WHERE...Portions of west central into north central Wisconsin, northeast Iowa and southeast Minnesota.

* WHEN...From Tuesday evening through Wednesday morning.

* IMPACTS...Travel could be very difficult. The hazardous conditions could impact the Wednesday morning commute.

Monitor the latest forecasts for updates on this situation.

Winter Storm Watch
Areas Affected: Floyd; Howard; Mitchell

NWS LaCrosse (Southwestern Wisconsin, Southeastern Minnesota, and Northeast Iowa)
...Hazardous Travel Expected Tuesday Night into Wednesday... .Hazardous driving conditions are expected Tuesday night into Wednesday as a winter storm brings accumulating snow and gusty winds to the region. A band of 5 to locally 10 inches will be possible for portions of northeast Iowa, southeast Minnesota, and west central into north central Wisconsin. A Winter Storm Watch is in effect from Tuesday evening through Wednesday morning for those areas. The possibility still exists that the storm track could change some. Should the storm shift further north, snow amounts will be less over these areas. Slight variations in temperature could also change amounts. If you are planning to travel Tuesday night or Wednesday, be sure to check on the latest forecasts as the storm approaches. ...WINTER STORM WATCH REMAINS IN EFFECT FROM TUESDAY EVENING THROUGH WEDNESDAY MORNING...

* WHAT...Heavy snow possible. Total snow accumulations of 5 to 10 inches possible. Winds could gust as high as 35 to 40 mph.

* WHERE...Portions of west central into north central Wisconsin, northeast Iowa and southeast Minnesota.

* WHEN...From Tuesday evening through Wednesday morning.

* IMPACTS...Travel could be very difficult. The hazardous conditions could impact the Wednesday morning commute.

Monitor the latest forecasts for updates on this situation.