Storm arrives, is expected to drop a foot of snow in Goodhue and Pierce counties

The first flakes started falling aroudn 9 a.m. Sunday in a storm that forecasters expect will dump more than a foot of snow on the Red Wing area.

The National Weather Service issued a winter storm warning that will remain in effect until noon Monday.

Mankato, Minn., already reported 3 inches by midmorning and Owatonna, which is an hour southwest of Goodhue County, had an inch.

The National Weather Service predicted the heaviest snowfall would come in Sunday afternoon. Red Wing could get up to 8 inches by evening. Another 6 inches could come during the night, tapering to another inch Monday morning.

Blustery winds could create areas of blowing and drifting snow, making travel hazardous, the weather service said. Winds could reach 35 mph.

The high temperature could be near 32 degrees, resulting in sleet and freezing rain in some areas. The low Sunday will be 21 degrees, forecasters said.

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