Region under winter storm watch

Graphic courtesy of National Weather Service

Meteorologists with the National Weather Services in Sioux Falls, S.D., are keeping an eye on a strong low pressure system to the west again.

This time, residents in the Spencer area may not be so lucky. After a strong system socked parts of the Dakotas in the past week, "this low will take a more southerly track," the agency said.

"Cold air will wrap in behind the low further eastward into such places as southwest Minnesota and northwest Iowa," a winter storm watch statement said. "Initially, light rain or light rain and snow is possible Friday night."

As the low tracks further east, precipitation will be more widespread on Saturday. The system may bring a rainy mix at first, but is expected to change over to snow by Saturday night.

"The snow could be heavy at times Saturday night and early Sunday," the bulletin said. "In addition, it will be quite windy late Saturday through Sunday, adding to the problems of snowfall including the potential for blowing and drifting snow."

The winter storm watch is in effect from Saturday evening through Sunday afternoon. As of a Thursday evening update, the National Weather Service anticipates snowfall totals of 7 to 12 inches and winds of 25 to 35 mph for the area.