UPDATE: Wintry Blast Expected to Bypass Rosemount

Winter is finally losing its grip on Rosemount.

The National Weather Service  issued a “winter weather advisory” early Tuesday for Rosemount and surrounding communities. But the late-winter front passing through the area from mid-afternoon today through late morning Wednesday is now expected to result in no more than an inch of accumulation - the temperature in Rosemount is expected to remain at or above freezing - and perhaps some slush on the roads.

Dakota County is on the edge of that weather pattern, which is having a more dramatic impact to the south and east.

Andy Brotzler, Rosemount’s director of public works, said early Tuesday that just in case, “We have guys on standby. If necessary, we’ll have the call out for salt and/or plow.”

School District 196 took a similar attitude: "I can't imagine" there would be school delays or cancellations, Mark Parr, director of secondary education, said Tuesday afternoon. But he cautioned that final decisions on such issues are made by the district superintendent, who consults with district transportation officials.

Those driving out of the area should be prepared for more serious weather conditions; the front is expected to deposit up to half a foot of snow along a line from Albert Lea to Eau Claire, Wis.

Even there, the snow isn’t expected to last long; high temperatures in the upper 40s and mid-50s are expected through the rest of the week.