Storm dumps more than 2 feet of snow in northern Minnesota

By Associated Press

Last update: April 7, 2008 - 11:32 AM

Residents of the Iron Range and other parts of northern Minnesota are digging out from under at least 2 feet of fresh snow.

The grand prize for the most snowfall goes to Virginia, Minn., where 32 inches piled up between Friday night and this morning. More than a foot fell in the northern Minnesota community of about 9,000 people since Sunday evening, the National Weather Service said.

Not far behind, 29 inches fell in northern portions of Itasca County, 27 inches in Cass Lake, 26 in Babbit, and 25 in Chisholm.

A spring snowstorm Sunday and continuing today caused slippery roads and travelers advisories and prompted the closing of Interstate Hwy. 94 westbound out of Alexandria.

And this morning, more than a dozen school districts in northern Minnesota have delayed or canceled classes, KARE-TV in the Twin Cities is reporting.

A winter storm warning remained in effect until 7 a.m. today in northeast Minnesota. The warning indicates that significant amounts of heavy snow, freezing rain and sleet are expected. The snow will make travel hazardous or impossible, the National Weather Service said.

The snow in northern Minnesota is expected to end by late this morning, but 1 to 2 additional inches of snow will fall before then. The storm is likely to move into western Wisconsin later this morning.

Another storm system may bring more snow to the northern part of the state by the end of the week, the weather service said.

Other heavy snowfalls were reported in Babbitt with 22 inches, Tower, 19, Grand Rapids 25, Wirt, 22 , and Cohasset 23.5. Lake Bemidji reported 13 inches, Wilton, 12.5, Zerkel, 18, and New York Mills, 13 inches.

Snow was coming down at the rate of 1 to 2 inches per hour on Sunday afternoon.

A St. Louis County sheriff's deputy says "quite a few" vehicles were in the ditch all the way toward Hibbing Sunday afternoon, but no serious injuries were reported.

Heavy snow also fell in the Morris, Alexandria and Staples area of west-central Minnesota. Grand Forks reported 6 inches of snow

I-94 westbound out of Alexandria was closed early today. About 6 inches of snow fell in that area.

Today in the Twin Cities will bring a 40 percent chance of light snow between 10 a.m. and 1 p.m. The skies will be mostly cloudy and temperatures will hit a high of around 39 degrees. Tonight, temperatures should drop to about 28 degrees.

On Tuesday look for rain after 1 p.m. and temperatures should rise to about 44 degrees with winds of 6 to 9 miles per hour.

Staff Writers John McIntyre and Tim Harlow contributed.

Information from: Mesabi Daily News, http://www.virginiamn.com

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