Don't put away the snowblower yet

April often brings a late snowstorm to this part of the world. Starting Wednesday evening we will have what I hope is a last blast of snow in the Chippewa Valley. The weather service is being somewhat cagey on the total amount of snow to hit our area tonight and through Friday morning, but it appears likely we will receive up to 12" of heavy wet snow, mixed with rain and some ice. 

It's likely that travel in the area tomorrow will be difficult, and some non-essential events are already being postponed due to the threat of weather. The snowfall will be exacerbated by heavy winds, which will also contribute to the difficulty of travel. Please keep aware of travel conditions and try to get through this late storm safely. 

This is the current weather statement from NOAA:

AREAS AFFECTED : BARRON; CHIPPEWA; DUNN; PIERCE; POLK; RUSK; ST. CROIX ...A MAJOR MID APRIL WINTER STORM WILL SIGNIFICANTLY IMPACT CENTRAL AND SOUTHERN MINNESOTA THROUGH WEST CENTRAL WISCONSIN WEDNESDAY NIGHT THROUGH FRIDAY MORNING... .A Blizzard Warning remains in effect northwest of a line from Redwood Falls to Saint Cloud. A Winter Storm Warning is in effect for much of central Minnesota. A Winter Weather Advisory is in effect for portions of Southern Minnesota, east central Minnesota, and West Central Wisconsin. In addition, a Winter Weather Advisory has been issued for portions of southwestern and south central Minnesota for this morning. A major mid April winter storm will affect Minnesota and west central Wisconsin through Friday. An initial band of rain, sleet, and snow is continuing to gradually shift northward through southwestern Minnesota this morning. The band is expected to transition to solely snow by the late morning as it lifts northward. A band of heavy snow will reach western and central Minnesota tonight and continue through Thursday night, tapering off in intensity gradually Friday morning. Snowfall rates of 1 to 2 inches per hour will be possible at times. Periods of mixed precipitation in the form of rain, snow, freezing rain, and sleet are expected along and south of a line from Redwood Falls, to the Saint Cloud, to Ladysmith, Wisconsin. There is medium confidence in where this transition zone will set up. A tighter gradient in snowfall totals than currently forecast should be expected along this zone. Winds will increase tonight with gusts of 45 to 55 mph by Thursday. This will produce areas of blowing snow over much of central and southern Minnesota into western Wisconsin. Blizzard conditions are likely across west central Minnesota. Travel could become nearly impossible in this area by Thursday. ...WINTER WEATHER ADVISORY REMAINS IN EFFECT FROM 1 AM THURSDAY TO 1 PM CDT FRIDAY... * WHAT...Mixed precipitation expected. Total snow accumulations of 2 to 8 inches and ice accumulations of up to two tenths of an inch expected. Winds gusting as high as 45 mph. * WHERE...Portions of northwest and west central Wisconsin and east central Minnesota. * WHEN...From 1 AM Thursday to 1 PM CDT Friday. * ADDITIONAL DETAILS...Travel could be very difficult. The hazardous conditions could impact the morning or evening