(Spirit Lake)– The winter storm watch that had been previously issued for the region has now been upgraded to a winter storm warning. The National Weather Service says it will go in effect at Noon today (Thurs.) and will run until midnight Friday night.
Forecasters say anywhere from 4 to 8 inches of snow could fall, with locally higher amounts possible. The snow is expected to begin later this (Thurs.) afternoon and will continue through Friday into Friday evening. In addition, they say the wind will increase out of the north, with gusts as high as 40 mph Friday and Friday, resulting in considerable blowing and drifting snow and dangerous wind chills.
The National Weather Service says travel could become very difficult to impossible by Friday afternoon.
Arctic air will also be a major factor now through the upcoming week. Overnight lows by Sunday morning could reach -20 degrees, with highs not getting above zero. Wind chills Saturday night and Sunday could approach -50 degrees.
