Minnesota and Wisconsin are grappling with their largest snowstorm of the season, causing widespread school closures and delays on Thursday. Dozens of districts have been impacted by the severe weather, including some of the region’s most prominent school systems.
Among the school districts that have announced closures are Boyceville Community, Brainerd Public Schools, Colfax School District, Dassel-Cokato Public Schools, and Durand-Arkansaw School District. Other affected areas include Fergus Falls Schools, Glencoe-Silver Lake School District, Glenwood City Schools, and Hudson School District in Wisconsin. Long Prairie-Grey Eagle Public Schools, Menomonie Schools, Pelican Rapids Schools, and Pepin Area Schools are also closed. In addition, River Falls School District (Wisconsin), Saint Peter Public Schools, Sibley East Schools, Stillwater Area Public Schools, and Upsala Area Schools are all affected.
Several school districts have canceled after-school activities as well, including Minneapolis and St. Paul public schools, due to hazardous weather conditions. Parents are urged to check with individual school districts for updates on closures and schedules.
Winter Storm Warnings and Areas of Impact
The National Weather Service has issued winter storm warnings for several regions, with significant snowfall expected throughout the day. The warning for cities like Ashby, Erdahl, Lisbon, Wahpeton, Fargo, and Moorhead is in effect until 6 p.m. on Thursday. This includes other towns such as Detroit Lakes, Elbow Lake, and Breckenridge. These areas are expected to experience heavy snowfall and potentially dangerous travel conditions.
Meanwhile, a second winter storm warning is in place until midnight on Friday for a broader region, including St. Cloud, Cambridge, Shakopee, and Minneapolis. This warning also covers cities such as Alexandria, Sauk Rapids, Elk River, and Stillwater, as well as the Twin Cities metro area. The WCCO NEXT Weather Team predicts that the Twin Cities could see anywhere between 3-6 inches of snow by Thursday afternoon. Snow will likely continue into the evening, with the possibility of strong wind gusts reaching up to 40 mph, which could further reduce visibility and cause blowing snow throughout the day.
Snow Emergencies and Parking Restrictions
As the storm intensifies, a few cities have already declared snow emergencies to ensure that plows can clear snow from the roads. In the Twin Cities area, the cities of Crystal, Plymouth, Minneapolis, St. Paul, Northfield, Osseo, and Richfield are all under snow emergencies. These declarations mean that parking will be restricted in certain areas, so residents are advised to move their vehicles to avoid fines and towing.
In Minneapolis, snow emergency routes will be closed to parking until 8 a.m. on Friday. After that, vehicles with odd-numbered addresses will be allowed to park on side streets. On Saturday, cars with even-numbered addresses should park on the even side of the street before 8 a.m.
St. Paul has also implemented parking restrictions on night plow routes, which will remain in effect until 8 a.m. Friday. After that, drivers should avoid parking on day plow routes until 8 p.m. to allow snowplows to clear the streets efficiently.
Travel Warnings and Safety Tips
The combination of snow and wind makes for treacherous travel conditions, and drivers are urged to use caution. If possible, it’s best to avoid traveling during the storm. Those who must be on the roads should prepare for low visibility and slick conditions. Remember to reduce speed, keep a safe distance from other vehicles, and make sure your car is equipped with winter essentials, such as snow tires, an emergency kit, and a full tank of gas.
The snowstorm is expected to bring significant disruptions to both daily routines and travel plans, with the potential for more cancellations and delays throughout the day. Stay tuned for updates from local authorities and the WCCO NEXT Weather Team for the latest information on road conditions, school closures, and snowfall totals.
As always, safety is the priority, and residents are advised to stay indoors if possible and monitor the weather closely as conditions evolve.
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