Snow-covered roads reported in SE Minnesota; subzero cold statewide this weekend
Updated: 1:45 p.m.
While the snow was later — and lighter — than previously expected across much of southern Minnesota on Friday, a blast of subzero air remains on track to sweep across the region this weekend.
The Minnesota Department of Transportation reported snow-covered roads Friday afternoon across southeast Minnesota, where weather spotters were reporting 1 to 3 inches of accumulation. MnDOT was reporting scattered spinouts and crashes on highways in the Rochester area, and along Interstate 90 between Albert Lea and La Crescent.
Many school districts — including Rochester, Red Wing and Winona — canceled classes Friday amid concerns about deteriorating road conditions.
Southeast Minnesota was still in line to see a half-foot of snow or more by Saturday morning.
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But there was little if any snow, yet, in the Twin Cities metro area as of early Friday afternoon. Snow is forecast to develop and could add up to a few inches by the time it ends on Saturday.
The National Weather Service said gusty northwest winds will cause areas of blowing and drifting snow — with blizzard warnings going in effect through late Saturday in southwest Minnesota.
Those winds will also usher in frigid air for the weekend. Much of the state may not climb above zero on Sunday, with wind chills in the 30s and 40s below zero.
Meanwhile, lake-effect snow continued Friday morning along the North Shore of Lake Superior where some locations reported more than a foot of accumulation.
The snow was good news for North Shore businesses that rely on winter tourists, and people who pursue winter activities.
Sandy Gunnink, president of the Finland Snowmobile and ATV Club, said about 15 inches of snow fell on the trails.
“We have an event coming up in February that we were going to have to make a decision on, so this is — it’s white gold up here, for not only our club, and people that come up to snowmobile, ice fish, those kinds of things,” Gunnink said. “So it helps everybody, especially our communities.”
Gunnink said it will take a few days for volunteers to pack and groom the trails.
As winds shift, the lake-effect snow will move to the South Shore of Lake Superior, with blizzard conditions possible through midday Saturday in the Bayfield and Ashland areas of northwest Wisconsin.
School closures
Southern Minnesota school districts that moved to e-learning days on Friday included:
Albert Lea
Caledonia
Fillmore Central
Houston
Jackson County Central
Kingsland
Marshall
Murray County Central
Pipestone
Worthington
Southern Minnesota school districts that canceled classes entirely included:
Adrian
Blue Earth
Cannon Falls
Dover-Eyota
Kasson-Mantorville
La Crescent-Hokah
Lake City
Lanesboro
Pine Island
Red Rock Central
Red Wing
Rochester
St. Charles
Spring Grove
Stewartville
Wabasha-Kellogg
Windom
Winona
Zumbrota-Mazeppa
These are not complete lists; check with your local school district for updates on classes on Friday.
Schools in La Crosse, Wis., were also closed Friday. There were no widespread school closures reported in the immediate Twin Cities metro area.
On Minnesota’s North Shore, Cook County Schools were on a two-hour delay to give snow plows a chance to clear the roads.
MPR News’ Dan Kraker contributed to this report.
Links for more information
Here’s how to keep tabs on forecasts, travel conditions and flight updates.
Forecast updates
MPR News: Live weather blog and real-time radar
National Weather Service: Snowfall reports
Travel conditions
These state transportation departments offer live updates on road conditions and crashes:
For bus and light rail riders in the Twin Cities, Metro Transit offers weather-related updates on its Metro Transit and Metro Transit Alerts Twitter pages, as well as on its website.
Flight updates
If you’re planning to fly from Minneapolis-St. Paul International Airport or another airport around the region — or if you are expecting visitors to arrive by plane — airports offer flight status updates online: