Winter Storm Warning Issued for NYE

The Twin Cities metro area is in for an onslaught of snow this New Year's: According to the National Weather Service, the "first widespread winter weather event of the season" will be rolling in tonight — a volatile storm with high winds and rain that will turn to snow as midnight approaches.

"This is a dangerous storm in that weather conditions will change very rapidly from a period of mixed precipitation to snow and blowing snow," the NWS advised in its warning. 

The storm warning is effective from 9:00 p.m. tonight until 6:00 a.m. on Sunday.

Central and southern Minnesota will take the brunt of the storm, which is expected to drop three to five inches of snow. The storm will also send blasts of wind from 25 to 35 miles an hour over the region, which will cause "considerable blowing and drifting." As a result, in some areas travelers may have zero-visibility on the roads.

In the Burnsville area, temperatures will hover in the 20s until Sunday night, when the forecasted low will fall to 11, or -6 to 4 with wind chill.

The NWS advised NYE revelers to travel only in an emergency. If you do decide to head out, the NWS advised travelers to pack an extra flashlight, food, water and blankets in your vehicle in the event of an emergency