ALERT DAY: First wave of snow arrives Tuesday afternoon leading to slick travel

(ABC 6 News) – A major and intense winter storm is on the way Tuesday through Thursday. It will come at us in two parts., prompting multiple ALERT DAYS during this time.

The first wave will arrive Tuesday afternoon continuing into Wednesday morning. Snow is the main concern. A dusting south, up to as much as 5″ is possible north by mid-day on Wednesday. The higher totals with this first part will be felt over Minnesota. South of that line, northern IA will see a trace to maybe 2″ by Wednesday morning. Travel will be difficult at times, especially throughout southern MN including the Wednesday morning commute.

Snow may not completely stop, however it will ease significantly for most of Wednesday before returning in full force Wednesday evening into Thursday as the second, more impactful wave of snow arrives.