The weekend looks to be sunny and springlike, but first, a big blast of winter. A storm bringing a little bit of everything — rain, gusty winds, snow, and blizzard and whiteout conditions — will strike the state from Tuesday night through Wednesday afternoon,

The weather service defines a blizzard as a severe snowstorm in which winds must be sustained or frequently gusting at least 35 mph, falling or blowing snow must reduce visibility to 1/4 mile or less, and these conditions must persist for at least three hours. Blizzard warnings are rare in Kansas City, according to data examined by The Star.

A potent March storm will bring wintry weather to much of Minnesota. The heaviest snowfall and wind will occur from the Twin Cities southward toward Rochester and Red Wing.

A winter storm warning goes into effect later Tuesday with the Twin Cities metro expected to be hit by more white stuff than originally predicted but blizzard conditions setting up across southern Minnesota.