Day 2 of storm much messier; dozens of schools closed, flights canceled
If you're not in the northern Red River Valley, day one of Minnesota's March snowstorm was actually pretty wimpy. But day two packs much more of a punch.
The outlook still calls for 6 to 10 inches of snow by the time the storm winds down late Tuesday. About 4 to 7 inches fell overnight around the metro, KSTP reported.
Dozens of schools were closed around the state, WCCO and FOX 9 have lists. Among them: Rochester, Winona, Stillwater and Shakopee.
At least 74 flights have been canceled at Minneapolis-St. Paul Airport, KSTP reports.
Commuters found the slog to work treacherous. Travel times Tuesday morning will likely double or even triple, KSTP reported.
Dive teams Tuesday morning were in the waters of the Red Cedar River in western Wisconsin, searching for the driver of a semi truck that plunged off Interstate 94 at about 4 a.m., FOX 9 reports. Eastbound I-94 was closed at WI-25 and traffic was being detoured through Menomonie and back on to the I-94 from WI-12 and County B, FOX 9 reported..
Nearly all of Minnesota is under a winter storm warning through Tuesday. Here's a National Weather Service briefing on the storm's progress.
Snowfall totals from day one amounted to 4 inches or less across most of the state. Find updates here.
In northwestern Minnesota, winds of 15 to 30 miles per hour mean blowing and drifting will limit visibility even after the storm moves on.
The NWS Duluth office says Brainerd and Hinckley are in the band that could get 8 to 10 inches of new snow, while 5 to 9 inches are forecast for Duluth and the Iron Range.
WCCO notes that MnDOT officials urge drivers to drive slowly on snowy roads and stay back at least five car lengths behind snow plows.
WCCO also examines the question: How do schools decide to delay or close?
Meanwhile, KARE 11 explains why March snowstorms are much easier for MnDOT road crews to handle.
Here's KARE 11's forecast:
