Southern Minnesota received overnight snow totaling as much as 10 inches, yet school officials in the region so far have dodged canceling classes altogether.
Many districts have opted Wednesday morning to wait a couple of hours before starting the day and getting their buses rolling on the snowy roads and highways. They include Austin, Fairmont, Lanesboro, Minneota and New Ulm.
The heaviest snow fell in Mapleton, with 10.5 inches, according to the National Weather Service. Next came St. James (9.5 inches), Madelia (9.4) and Austin (9). The farthest reaches of southwestern Minnesota were also included, where Ivanhoe and Minneota each had 8 inches.
The precipitation glanced the southwestern edge of the Twin Cities area. Jordan recorded 1.5 inches, the Weather Service said.
Travel on the highways in south-central and southern Minnesota is considered difficult, according to the Minnesota Department of Transportation. Crashes and spinouts have been reported. Blowing snow and icy patches were causing the most trouble, the agency said.
In the Twin Cities, weather resembling winter's retreat is starting to appear. Thursday's high is forecast to be above freezing. The warm-up does not include any precipitation, according to the Weather Service.
Paul Walsh
