Storm hits Rochester, dumps 8 inches of snow

Snow shovel — "Just when you think you're out of it," says Bryan Dodds, who had his hands full shoveling snow in southeast Rochester Thursday morning.

By John Weiss, <a href="mailto:weiss@postbulletin.com">weiss@postbulletin.com</a>

March 24, 2016 at 12:00 PM

We have seen 13" snowfall reports from around #rochmnand Osseo, WI so far, with other 10-12" totals around that - https://t.co/ujUyBLF7GK

— NWS La Crosse (@NWSLaCrosse) March 24, 2016

Largest snowfall so far has been 11" at Wabasha, MN, 10.3" at Goodview, MN and about 8" at Rochester, MN. #rochmn #mnwx

— NWS La Crosse (@NWSLaCrosse) March 24, 2016

Original story:

A "shut-down" snowstorm took aim at southeast Minnesota this morning. When it finally blows out of the region Thursday morning, it could leave us to shovel, blow and cuss at up to 14 inches of wet, heavy snow.

The National Weather Service at La Crosse, Wis., calls it a "shut-down" snow because that's what the storm is expected to do — shut down much of the region. Snowfall could be as little as 7 inches or as high as 14 inches. We could even get thundersnow.

"Travel will become dangerous Wednesday night as snow becomes heavy," the service said this morning. "Try to change your travel plans if possible. The Thursday morning commute will be very messy with snow-covered roads and snow ending. Plan ahead for difficult travel."

Because of the expected snow, a winter storm warning is in effect until well into Thursday.

The snow is expected to be wet and heavy because the highs today, and Thursday will be in the mid-30s, with an overnight low of 26.

The Minnesota Department of Transportation 511 site reported roads in normal condition as of 7:30 a.m. But that is expected to change.

The storm could top the record 7.4 inches of snow set for March 23 in 1951. And it could top the 2.6 inch record set for a March 24 last year. The storm, however, probably won't be quite as bad as the March 18-19, 2005, storm when nearly 2 feet of snow fell in some parts of Olmsted County.

Here's what the service predicts will happen this time:

• Interstate 90 and north, wintry mix by late morning, all snow by afternoon, up to 3 inches possible.

• I-90 and south, rain in the morning, wintry mix in afternoon, up to 1 inch of snow.

• This evening into Thursday, snowfall up to 2 inches an hour, an additional 3 to 12 inches.

Because of the storm, MnDOT workers quit doing their spring work and shifted back into winter mode. All the snowplowing equipment on 102 trucks was checked to make sure it was ready, according to MnDOT.

Because snow is expected to be wet, it will take longer to move it out of the way.

The snow is expected to be shortlived. Highs into the weekend and early next week will be in the upper 40s to about 50 by Tuesday.

1/2: Mike Bettes on camera meteorologist with the Weather Channel and videographer Brad Reynolds do a live broadcast Wednesday afternoon along First Avenue SW in downtown Rochester, Minn. Bettes and Reynolds work out of Atlanta, GA. and flew into MInneapolis earlier in the day to provide coverage of Winter Storm Selene.

2/2: Rochester Mayor Ardell Brede and Mike Bettes on camera meteorologist with the Weather Channel share a laugh as they do a live broadcast Wednesday afternoon along First Avenue SW in downtown Rochester, Minn. Bettes and videographer Brad Reynolds work out of Atlanta, GA. and flew into MInneapolis earlier in the day to provide coverage of Winter Storm Selene.