Icy Roads Expected Across Twin Cities As Freezing Rain, Sleet Move In

TWIN CITIES, MN — A wintry mix of freezing rain and sleet is expected to create slick travel conditions across the Twin Cities metro and surrounding areas Sunday afternoon, prompting a Winter Weather Advisory that remains in effect until 4 p.m.

According to the National Weather Service, precipitation will develop late Sunday morning and continue through the afternoon. In much of central and east-central Minnesota, including the Twin Cities, a brief period of sleet is expected before transitioning to freezing rain.

Ice accumulations are expected to remain light, generally limited to a glaze, with sleet accumulations up to one tenth of an inch.

Despite the minor accumulations, roads, sidewalks, bridges and overpasses could become slippery, especially on untreated surfaces. Temperatures are expected to remain in the 20s, allowing freezing rain to create icy conditions during the afternoon travel period.

The Winter Weather Advisory covers much of the metro area, including Minneapolis, St. Paul, Bloomington, Eden Prairie, Minnetonka, Maple Grove, Brooklyn Park, Woodbury, and surrounding communities, along with parts of central and southeast Minnesota.

The NWS urges drivers to slow down and use caution while traveling. Motorists can check current road conditions by calling 511 or visiting 511mn.org.

Looking ahead, forecasters are also monitoring another potential round of freezing rain late Monday night into Tuesday morning.

Temperatures are expected to be close to freezing, and even small changes could determine how impactful that next system is for travel across the Twin Cities.

Here’s the full NWS forecast from the Minneapolis-St. Paul Airport:

Today: Freezing rain likely between 1pm and 4pm. Cloudy, with a high near 31. South southeast wind 10 to 15 mph. Chance of precipitation is 60%. Total daytime ice accumulation of less than a 0.1 of an inch possible.

Tonight: Mostly cloudy, with a low around 24. South southeast wind 5 to 10 mph becoming light and variable after midnight.

Monday: Patchy fog after 5pm. Otherwise, cloudy, with a high near 34. Calm wind becoming southeast around 5 mph in the afternoon.

Monday Night: A 40 percent chance of rain, mainly after midnight. Patchy fog after 8pm. Otherwise, cloudy, with a low around 31. East southeast wind around 5 mph becoming northeast after midnight.

Tuesday: A chance of freezing rain before 10am, then a chance of rain between 10am and 3pm, then a slight chance of snow after 3pm. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 34. North northeast wind around 5 mph becoming west in the afternoon. Chance of precipitation is 30%.

Tuesday Night: Mostly cloudy, with a low around 24. West wind around 5 mph becoming south after midnight.

Wednesday: Partly sunny, with a high near 38. South wind 5 to 10 mph.

Wednesday Night: Mostly cloudy, with a low around 27. South southeast wind 5 to 10 mph becoming west after midnight.

Thursday: Mostly sunny, with a high near 37. West northwest wind 5 to 10 mph.

Thursday Night: Mostly cloudy, with a low around 22. West northwest wind 5 to 10 mph becoming east after midnight.

Friday: A 30 percent chance of snow. Partly sunny, with a high near 32. East wind 5 to 10 mph becoming west northwest in the afternoon.

Friday Night: A 30 percent chance of snow. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 19. Northwest wind around 10 mph.

Saturday: A 30 percent chance of snow. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 26. Northwest wind 10 to 15 mph.