StarTribune.com content is available via e-mail, mobile devices and as RSS feeds.
April sours in winter's last hours
Print this story
E-mail this story
Save to del.icio.us
Share on newsvine
Share on DiggLet's hope it really was the last gasp of winter.
Yes, it's late April. And yes, a storm that blew into the state Friday and Saturday dumped a foot or more of snow in northern and western Minnesota, postponing at least one prom, canceling sporting events and sending approximately 100 vehicles into the ditch, including several jack-knifed semitrailer trucks.
Authorities closed Interstate Hwy. 94 between Alexandria and Moorhead for several hours, opening it again about 4:30 p.m. Saturday but telling motorists to travel at their own risk on slippery roads and in gusting winds, the State Patrol said.
Some of the places that got dumped on the most: Pelican Rapids with 18 inches. Brandon with 15.5 inches. Donnelly with 12 inches.
The weather was considered a significant factor in a traffic accident that killed two west-central Minnesotans Friday afternoon -- Kenneth W. Klug, 62, of Garfield and Julian R. Kvanbek, 73, of Evansville. Their cars collided head-on just east of Brophy Park on County Rd. 82 in Douglas County.
In the metro area, snowfalls topped out at about 2 inches in the western suburbs, said Tony Zaleski, meteorologist at the National Weather Service office in Chanhassen.
Some forecasters were predicting the possibility of snow again this week in some parts of the state.
But are we finished with winter storms, finally?
"I think so," Zaleski said. "This was generally everything that could go wrong came together out in the far west. And you know, we're getting into May now so there really isn't that much cold air left up north to really cause a similar situation. ... Old Man Winter just died a slow death."
Sorry Old Man, but good riddance.
PAM LOUWAGIE
- Spurned by GOP caucus, Olson plans run for state Senate
- 3rd Congressional District hopefuls to hold first debate Aug. 21
- Paul rally blossoms into mini-convention
- Coleman, Franken to field questions on YouTube
- Coleman answers Franken ad with geniality
- Pawlenty's stock soars in veepstakes
- Peace Corps to close Minneapolis office
- Bush will address GOP convention
- Bachmann, back from Alaska, urges more domestic drilling
- Franken rejects offer to debate Lord Faris
  $125 Cash Signing BonusChoose one of hundreds of apartments to lease and we'll send you $125. Learn more. |
|