GRAND FORKS — High winds, heavy snow and low temperatures will combine for potentially life-threatening travel conditions in parts of northwest Minnesota on Thursday, Dec. 18.
High winds will move west to east starting Wednesday evening, with gusts up to 50 mph for parts of the Northland.
The snow is expected to soon follow, with the highest totals expected along the border: 4-8 inches from Hallock to Baudette and 4-6 inches from International Falls almost to the North Shore.
Snowfall totals are forecast to decrease to the south, with 2-4 inches expected from Bemidji to Virginia, 1-2 inches from Detroit Lakes to Duluth and less than an inch in Brainerd and Aitkin.
And behind the snow comes a flash freeze starting midday Thursday, with temps dropping below zero for much of the Northland by Friday morning.
So much for those record highs on Tuesday.
From Thursday morning to Thursday evening, the National Weather Service has issued a blizzard warning for Ada, Fosston, Roseau and west; a winter storm warning for Lake of the Woods and northern Beltrami counties and a winter weather advisory stretching east to Bemidji, Park Rapids and Wadena.
The northeastern borderlands are also under a winter weather advisory Wednesday evening to Thursday evening.
The open fields of the west are expected to cause the worst travel conditions, with frequent visibility less than a one-quarter to a half-mile possible Thursday.
But meteorologists in Duluth are also warning of freezing rain Wednesday evening and snow squalls — short, intense bouts of snow and wind creating whiteout conditions — Thursday.
So if you're planning to travel, make sure to tell others where you're going before you leave, check road conditions and have a full tank of gas.
While driving, slow down and don't use your cruise control.
And if you get stranded, don't panic. Turn on your flashers, call someone to let them know where you are and tie a bright-colored cloth to your antenna or door to let people know you need help.
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