Rain turns to snow on Halloween in Twin Cities, Duluth. What you need to know

A dire forecast is looming for Halloween across much of Minnesota, as rain is likely to turn to snow – possibly heavy at times – from the Twin Cities north to Duluth.

The transition from rain to snow was already underway before sunrise in southwestern Minnesota, where Minnesota Department of Transportation traffic cameras showed some accumulation in grassy areas. Roads appeared to be mostly wet as roadside temperatures remained above freezing.

The change will spread north and east. Winter weather advisories go into effect Thursday morning from McLeod, Sibley and Le Sueur counties northeast through most of the Twin Cities metro area and along the Interstate 35 corridor to Pine City, Cloquet and the Twin Ports. These clues will run throughout the afternoon.

The National Weather Service said advisory areas could see 2 to 4 inches of snow, with even higher amounts locally.

Snowfall rates of 1 inch per hour are possible in some areas. A few embedded thunderstorms are also possible, which “could increase snow rates even further,” the weather service said.

A winter weather advisory is also in effect for northwestern Wisconsin from Thursday morning through Thursday evening.

Rain and snow will be joined by gusty winds and falling temperatures. Rainfall is expected to largely stop before trick-or-treaters get underway Thursday evening.

For forecast updates, visit the MPR Weather Updraft blog.

Links for further information

This way you can keep an eye on forecasts, travel conditions and flight updates.

Forecast updates

Travel conditions

These state transportation agencies provide live updates on road conditions and accidents:

For bus and light rail riders in the Twin Cities, Metro Transit is providing weather-related updates Subway transit And Metro Transit Notifications X accounts as well as on its website.

Flight updates

If you're planning on traveling from Minneapolis-St. Paul International Airport or another airport in the area – or if you are expecting visitors by plane – offers flight status updates online: