UPDATE: Blizzard Warning Expanded to Include St. Cloud

The National Weather Service has expanded Winter Storm and Blizzard Warnings for portions of Central Minnesota including Benton & Stearns Counties, in effect from 6:00 tomorrow morning through 9:00 tomorrow night. Falling temps, strong winds, and 5-12" of snow will cause drifting and whiteout conditions making travel difficult or impossible.

From the National Weather Service this evening:  Winter will abruptly arrive Friday as heavy snow spreads into western and northern Minnesota. Total accumulations of 6 to 12+ inches are expected in the axis of heavy snow with amounts quickly tapering off to the east. Strong wind gusts of 40 to 50 mph will result in considerable blowing snow and whiteout/blizzard conditions, especially in west central and southwest Minnesota. Travel is expected to become very difficult or impossible across western Minnesota by late Friday morning.