Well, that escalated quickly.

Our much-advertised clipper delivered significant snowfall across much of the Upper Midwest on Thursday. Winter storm warnings remain in effect until midnight. Gusty winds and blowing snow will continue into Thursday night.

The storm moved a little further south than forecast models indicated Wednesday, producing some of the heaviest snowfall south and west of the Twin Cities. Here are some select snowfall amounts from late Thursday afternoon. It is still snowing in some areas, so higher amounts of snow may occur overnight.

• Lakota, ND 9″

• Winthrop 7.2 inches

• Gets 7″

• New Prague 7″

• Bird Island 6.8 inches

• Montgomery 6.7 inches

• West of Belle Plaine 6.5 inches

• St. Peter, Minnesota City 6.2 inches

• White Bear Lake 6″

• Victoria 5.6 inches

• MSP Airport, Oakdale, Woodbury, Rochester 5 inches

• Maple Grove, Fridley, 4 inches

Our snow system will begin to taper off Thursday evening. The heaviest zone of snow will be in southeastern Minnesota, where another 1 to 3 inches could fall. NOAA’s NAM 3 km model winds through the snow. The forecast model loop below runs between 6:00 p.m. Thursday and 6:00 a.m. Friday.

Colder air blows in behind the snow. On Friday morning, lows will be well below zero across the north.

On Friday, the maximum values ​​are expected to be difficult to reach in the south and in the single digits in the north with sunshine and reflective snow cover.

Christmas week thaw

A milder current in the Pacific will push temperatures higher during Christmas week.

We still have enough snow for a white Christmas morning, but snowmelt will accelerate late next week.

Highs reach the 30s on Christmas Day.

We could see low 40s across southern Minnesota late next week.

Go out and enjoy the fresh snow!