How Bad Will This Weekend's Storm Get?

"Orko" hits Minneapolis while "Nemo" dumps on the Northeast.

Winter Storm 'Orko' Coming This Weekend

Up to 4 inches of snow and strong winds possible Sunday and Monday, thanks to a storm of histrionic proportions.

A winter storm watch is in effect from midnight Sunday through 6 a.m. Monday for most of the Twin Cities region, as "Orko," sweeps across Minnesota. Think the Weather Channel has gone off the deep end with its storm names? So do these folks. Snow accumulations of four to eight inches are possible in locations across Hennepin, Anoka, Ramsey and Washington counties, as well as western Wisconsin, with accumulations increasing from south to north. Will there a snow emergency in Minneapolis? Here's how to tell, without waiting for your car to be towed. Because temperatures on Sunday will hover right around the freezing point, however, the National Weather Service says “there is still uncertainty” about just how much snow may stick. What is …

• Photos (1)

Dangerous Wind Chill Forecast for Minneapolis: Will School Be Canceled?

Cat litter, spare fuses could be crucial to winter roadside survival.

The National Weather Service has issued a wind chill advisory for the Twin Cities area, warning that temperatures could reach dangerous levels from Wednesday night through Friday morning. Make your own "snow" with boiling water and frigid air. The combination of wind and cold could result in wind chills of more than 25 below zero, and as much as 40 below zero in isolated areas, during the early morning hours Friday. At such temperatures, extreme caution is warranted to avoid frostbite and hypothermia. At 40 below zero, going outdoors for more than 30 minutes without gloves or a face mask could result in frostbite. Motorists are urged to pack along extra clothing and a blanket in case of problems. Pets can also suffer from the cold, even on…

• Photos (1)

Is There A Snow Emergency in Minneapolis?

How to stay on top of weather-related parking rules.

First-time Minneapolitans should make sure keep an ear out for snow emergency declarations this winter if you don't want to have to bail your car out of the city impound lot. Once the city declares a snow emergency, many local news outlets—including Patch—will post the information. Alternately, you can check the City of Minneapolis website, or sign up for the city's snow emergency email or text-message alerts. When a snow emergency is in effect, special parking restrictions apply. More information about parking restrictions is available from these iPhone and Android aps, the city's online parking rules lookup tool, and from the guide above, published by the City of Minneapolis. While the temperature turns cold, though, keep an eye out for …

• Photos (1)
• Documents (1)

Power Out to 100+ In SW Minneapolis

Storm last night caused outages.

The line of storms that rolled through Southwest Minneapolis last night might have given the neighborhood much-needed rain, but it took away another necessary piece of modern life. Power. Now, about 106 people in Southwest Minneapolis are without it, according to Xcel Energy's outage map. The largest concentration of outages is in Tangletown. Power is not expected to be restored to all the affected households until 11 p.m. tonight. According to the National Weather Service, the area still has about a 30 percent chance of more storms today: A FEW THUNDERSTORMS WILL LINGER THROUGH THE FIRST HALF OF THE DAY. THE THREAT FOR SEVERE WEATHER IS LOW...BUT A FEW STRONGER STORMS COULD HAVE GUSTY WINDS.

• Photos (1)

Severe Storm Alert Issued, 65 MPH Winds Possible

Storm hitting Southwest Minneapolis Sunday night.

Sunday night, the National Weather Service issued a severe thunderstorm warning for much of the metro area, including Southwest Minneapolis. According to the alert, winds as strong as 65 miles per hour are possible. The alert continues, warning of "quarter-sized" hail: IF YOU ARE IN THE PATH OF THIS STORM...PREPARE IMMEDIATELY FOR DAMAGING WINDS IN EXCESS OF 60 MPH AND LARGE HAIL. SEEK SHELTER NOW INSIDE A STURDY STRUCTURE AND STAY AWAY FROM WINDOWS. THIS STORM HAS A HISTORY OF PRODUCING DESTRUCTIVE WINDS AND LARGE DAMAGING HAIL. SEEK SHELTER NOW INSIDE A STURDY STRUCTURE AND STAY AWAY FROM WINDOWS! The warning is in effect until 8:30 p.m.

• Photos (1)

Tornado Watch For Hennepin County

Weather service warns of storms that could spawn tornados.

The National Weather Service has issued an alert for much of Minnesota, including Minnepolis, for Tuesday. While a large weather system moves through the area this week, the Service predicts that severe weather is most likely to occur today and tonight. "It appears there will be sufficient instability and wind shear to support the development of severe storms ahead of a cold front Tuesday evening," the Weather Service's statement read. "The primary threats would be damaging winds and large hail, although a few tornados will be posible as well." In a forcast published Monday night, the Weather service estimated a 60 percent chance of thunderstorms striking Southwest Minneapolis on Tuesday. UPDATE 9:15 a.m. 5/1/12: For more information on …

• Photos (1)

Tornado Alert For Southwest Minneapolis

Storms ravaged midwest earlier this weekend.

Sunday afternoon, the National Weather Service issued a tornado watchcovering much of Minnesota, including Hennepin County. The same band of storms that has wreaked havoc across the midwest is at last hitting the Twin Cities. The alert is in effect until 11 p.m. Sunday night. The Service predicts an 80 percent chance of rain, including thunderstorms, for Sunday night and early Monday morning. Temperatures are predicted to fall to a low of 38 degrees. Got storm photos? Add them to this story, using the button at right!

• Photos (1)

UPDATED: Freeze Warning Tonight and Tomorrow

National Weather Service issues alert.

Just when you thought it was safe to break out the shorts, Mother Nature begs to differ.  Sunday, the National Weather Service issued a feeze watch covering much of the southern portion of the state, from Mille Lacs to Faribault. Minneapolis could be spared the worst of a projected nighttime temperature drop into the 20s—the worst-impacted parts are predicted to occur north of Morris—but the nippy Canadian air could still damage any fruit trees or "tender vegiation," the Weather Service alert said. The warning, initially issued Sunday, is now extended to Tuesday morning and Wednesday morning. 

•  2 Comments
• Photos (1)

James Sanna

2:18 pm on Monday, April 9, 2012

I know! You probably saw the bowling ball story that's on the front page today—brilliant colors from those flowers in the background! So a sheet works well, huh? Never having been much of a gardener myself, and having parents who were more into the perennials, I always assumed you needed a flannel blanket or something.   more ›

Say It Ain't So!

At least one Lynhurst resident was banking on shoveling Tuesday's predicted rain.

80-degree highs or not, at least one Lynhurst resident was holding out for more snow. Or a shovel-able amount of water. Neither materialized.   Do you have a photo of a neat sight or a cool event this week? Email the editor at James.Sanna@Patch.com, or submit it right here!

• Photos (1)