Snowstorm closes schools, made for difficult commute

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The second day of snowfall is keeping snow plow drivers busy, working to keep up and keep roads cleared in the Upper Midwest.

With a winter storm warning in place until tonight, and dozens of schools in central and southern Minnesota closed, MnDOT is recommending that Minnesotans stay home today (Tue) if travel isn't necessary. A total of a foot of snow is expected in parts of the state by the time the warning ends at 6 p.m. Snow emergencies have been declared in many communities.

The snowfall began in fits and starts yesterday, then become steady and heavy. Several inches of snow have already fallen across southern and central Minnesota, and it's expected to keep falling into the afternoon. Forecasters expect up to a foot in some areas, including the Twin Cities. The wind will also likely be a factor; the National Weather Service is predicting winds of up to 25 miles per hour, with gusts near 30, and blowing and drifting snow.

The latest snowstorm has not hit most of Wisconsin yet – but a forecast of up to 11-inches was enough to close dozens of schools today. La Crosse, Eau Claire, and Kenosha are the largest of the school systems to shut their doors in western and southern Wisconsin. Classes were canceled at UW -Platteville, even though the campus itself remains open. Alma had four-inches as of six this morning – and much of southwest Wisconsin was in the two-inch range. Five-to-11 inches of heavy, wet snow are predicted for about the western half of the Badger State – including Madison. Up to five inches are possible in Milwaukee, and up to eight in Kenosha, as spinoffs from a storm that’s expected to dump around 10-inches in the Chicago area, the most in the Windy City in two years. Green Bay and northeast Wisconsin only expect light snow.

It’s all supposed to clear out tonight. A partly cloudy day is in store for tomorrow throughout Wisconsin – and temperatures could get back above freezing by Thursday.

Tags: news, weather, minnesota, wisconsin