Park Rapids is smack dab in the core of a powerful winter storm that will bring more than a foot of snow.
Flurries have already started in the region. "You could have 14 inches of snow by tomorrow night," National Weather Service meteorologist Bill Barrett.
"You are in the heaviest band of snowfall," he said. "The winds will really be a problem Tuesday for open areas, but your forests will protect you somewhat from that."
Light snow will fall all day Monday, Barrett said, with a lull later tonight. "Tuesday you'll see the heavy stuff," he said. "You'll get 9 to 12 inches of heavier snow."
"This is the biggest snowstorm we'll see- we hope - of the spring."
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Travel throughout the Red River Valley, which is expecting blizzard conditions, into southern Minnesota, will be difficult, if not impossible.
Here is the extended forecast:
Today: Snow likely. Cloudy, with a high near 31. East wind 6 to 10 mph becoming north. Chance of precipitation is 70 percent. Total daytime snow accumulation of 1 to 3 inches possible.
Tonight: Snow likely. Cloudy, with a low around 9. North wind between 11 and 15 mph, with gusts as high as 21 mph. Chance of precipitation is 60 percent. New snow accumulation of 1 to 3 inches possible.
Tuesday: Snow and widespread blowing snow. The snow could be heavy at times. High near 19. Blustery, with a north northeast wind between 16 and 22 mph, with gusts as high as 31 mph. Chance of precipitation is 100 percent. New snow accumulation of 5 to 9 inches possible.
Tuesday night: Snow and widespread blowing snow before 1 a.m., then snow likely and areas of blowing snow after 1a.m. Low around -11. Wind chill values as low as -33. Blustery, with a north northwest wind between 23 and 25 mph, with gusts as high as 36 mph. Chance of precipitation is 90 percent.
Wednesday: Areas of blowing snow. Partly sunny, with a high near 4. Blustery, with a northwest wind between 17 and 21 mph, with gusts as high as 29 mph.
Wednesday night: Partly cloudy, with a low around -14.
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Thursday: Partly sunny, with a high near 13.
Thursday Night: Partly cloudy, with a low around 3.
Friday: Mostly sunny, with a high near 30.
Friday night: Partly cloudy, with a low around 14.
Saturday: Mostly sunny, with a high near 38.
Saturday night: Partly cloudy, with a low around 14.
Sunday: Mostly sunny, with a high near 45.
