Post-Christmas storm possible

Potental post-Christmas storm track. Graphic courtesy: NWS Twin Cities.
Potental post-Christmas storm track. Graphic courtesy: NWS Twin Cities.

CHANHASSEN, MN (WSAU) -- This weekend is expected to be one of the biggest travel weekends on record as thousands hop in their cars to get home for Christmas, and forecasters with the National Weather Service want anyone heading through southern Wisconsin into Minnesota, Iowa, and other plains states to keep an eye on the weather as they do.

Current models show the potential for a significant winter storm in the region beginning on Wednesday, December 26th, just in time for the trek home. Meteorologist Dan Effertz with the NWS office in Chanhassen, Minnesota says it's tough to pin down the storm at this time, but people should be ready to adjust plans if necessary.

"There is the potential for some mixed precipitation across far southern Minnesota into southern Wisconsin. Perhaps some accumulating snow across portions of central Minnesota into western Wisconsin as well," said Effertz.

The exact timing and track of the storm remains unknown and Effertz says it likely won't be pinned down until Monday or Tuesday, but they want to get the information out there now so travelers know to be on alert.

"The storm that will be developing is over the central portions of the Pacific now, we won't get a good track on any storm until Monday or Tuesday, again it's a week out [right now]."

Effertz says the best thing travelers can do now is be aware of the situation and check back with the forecasts on Christmas Eve or Christmas Day, then adjust their plans accordingly if need be.

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