Frigid temperatures this weekend prompt cold weather advisories

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School districts, colleges and universities across northwest Minnesota and eastern North Dakota canceled classes or moved to online learning Thursday, as a winter storm remained on track to 

The Minnesota Department of Transportation 

 across far northwest Minnesota, from Ada and Crookston north to Warren and Hallock.

The National Weather Service issued blizzard warnings for the Red River Valley through Thursday evening, for the potential for several inches of snow and winds gusting to 70 miles per hour. The Grand Forks airport reported a wind gust of 64 mph just before 6 a.m.

In addition to causing whiteout conditions, those winds will cause plunging temperatures through the day for the entire state. The Twin Cities was near 40 degrees early Thursday — but temperatures by early Friday may fall below zero.

Falling temperatures, gusty winds and snow showers

That may cause a “flash freeze” on roads and sidewalks across much of the state.

Outside of the blizzard warning area, winter weather advisories cover much of the rest of northern and central Minnesota. Snow totals may reach 2 to 4 inches near the Canadian border, with lesser amounts — along with some mixed precipitation — to the south. For Bemidji, St. Cloud, Duluth and the Twin Cities, any snow that falls will be accompanied by winds gusting in excess of 40 mph.

MnDOT was reporting snow-covered highways and near-zero visibility in far northwest Minnesota on Thursday morning. North Dakota transportation officials were also advising no travel in the northeast part of that state, including Interstate 29 north of Grand Forks.

School districts canceling classes for Thursday, Dec. 18

School districts moving to online learning for Thursday, Dec. 18

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 

Is there is snow emergency in effect for St. Paul or Minneapolis? Find out on the 

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:

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Andrew Krueger

Author

School districts, colleges and universities across northwest Minnesota and eastern North Dakota canceled classes or moved to online learning Thursday, as a winter storm remained on track to bring blizzard conditions to the region.

Blizzard warnings prompt Minnesota schools to cancel classes, move to online learning

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