...ACCUMULATING SNOW AND STRONG WINDS EXPECTED TO BRING BLIZZARD CONDITIONS TO PORTIONS OF CENTRAL AND SOUTHERN MINNESOTA LATE SUNDAY MORNING AND SUNDAY NIGHT... .A developing winter storm over the Northern Plains today will become much stronger as it moves across the Upper Midwest Sunday and Sunday night. Snow will develop over western Minnesota near sunrise, with a rain/snow mix developing farther east. The rain/snow mix across eastern Minnesota and Wisconsin will quickly turn to snow as colder air moves in mid to late morning. Steady snow will continue through late Sunday night. Accumulations of 5 to 8 inches are forecast across eastern Minnesota and western Wisconsin, with amounts tapering off to a couple inches across far western Minnesota. In addition, strong northwest winds gusting to 45 to 55 mph are expected by Sunday afternoon, leading to blizzard conditions in open areas of central and southern Minnesota through Sunday night. A Blizzard Warning is in effect in a corridor from Alexandra and Long Prairie, south to Hutchinson and the far southwestern Twin Cities metro, to the Mankato and Albert Lea areas. A Winter Storm Warning is in effect for the rest of eastern Minnesota and western Wisconsin. A Winter Storm Watch continues for far western Minnesota where blizzard conditions are less certain due to lighter snow accumulations. * WHAT...Blizzard conditions expected. Total snow accumulations between 4 and 7 inches. Winds gusting as high as 55 mph. * WHERE...Portions of central, east central, south central, and west central Minnesota. * WHEN...From 9 AM Sunday to 6 AM CST Monday. * IMPACTS...Whiteout conditions are expected and will make travel treacherous and potentially life-threatening. Travel could be very difficult. Widespread blowing snow could significantly reduce visibility. The hazardous conditions will impact the Monday morning commute. Gusty winds could bring down tree branches.
A mild overnight temperature of 34.6°F greeted Ski-Tonka this morning, keeping conditions on the softer side. Ski-Tonka ski resort in Minnesota is a popular destination for skiing enthusiasts.
Wind
Humidity
Current snowpack is holding at just 1", which is significantly below average for this time of year—down by over 67%. While main runs are marginally skiable, expect thin coverage, especially on lower elevation trails. Groomers are working hard to maintain core terrain, but early-season conditions persist. Caution is advised, especially near exposed areas and tree lines.
Looking ahead, there’s reason for optimism. Forecasts predict nearly 5" of new snow over the next 72 hours, with totals reaching up to 6" by the five-day mark. This fresh snow could rejuvenate coverage and improve ride quality heading into the New Year weekend. No major local news is impacting ski operations, so all eyes are on the sky for that much-needed snowfall. Keep your rock skis handy for now—Ski-Tonka's winter is just starting to show promise.
Snow Water Equivalent (SWE) shows how much water the snow holds. This is ideal for year-to-year tracking of real snowfall and water resources. Measurements from Jordan 1ssw.
Snowpack depth measures how much snow has accumulated in the area. This is a key indicator of powder quality, trail coverage, and how epic your runs are going to be this season at Ski-Tonka.
Recent air temperature fluctuations at Ski-Tonka impact snow quality and stability, from powder to slush.
Ski-Tonka Ski Resort, located in Minnesota, does not have any significant mountain ranges or mountain aspects as Minnesota is known for its flat terrain. However, Ski-Tonka offers a variety of ski runs and slopes for skiers and snowboarders of all levels, as well as terrain parks and tubing hills for winter recreation. The resort also features a lodge with amenities such as rental equipment, lessons, and dining options.
The resort boasts of several well-maintained trails, including the beginner-friendly Little Dipper and the advanced-level Black Diamond. A little-known fact about Ski-Tonka is that it was the first ski resort in Minnesota to have snowmaking capability, which allowed it to extend its ski season. For beginners, we recommend taking ski lessons at the resort's ski school, which offers personalized instruction from certified instructors. After a long day on the slopes, head on over to the resort's cozy Fireside Lounge for some après-ski drinks and snacks.
The ski area received 0" of new snowfall since yesterday.
Weather today, areas of dense fog. otherwise, cloudy, with a high near 44. south wind 5 to 10 mph.
Ski-Tonka is expected to receive up to 6.39" of new snowfall in the next 5 days.
In Washington State, snow enthusiasts can enjoy fresh powder with recent observations showing new snowfall at Nohrsc Sawmill Ridge. Although the area has seen 2 inches of snow over the past 24 hours, the base remains significant at 170 inches. The weather forecast warns of hazy conditions followed by a slight chance of thunderstorms, which could affect visibility and on-mountain ... Read more