Blizzard Forecast Closes Schools And Cancels Flights

A deep low pressure center is still predicted to deliver a potent winter storm to southeastern Minnesota on Thursday. The National Weather Service says a winter weather advisory will be in effect from 3 AM until 9 AM, which is when a blizzard warning takes effect and runs through 6 AM Friday. Forecasters say the Rochester area can expect snow and freezing rain to develop Thursday morning, with an extended period of heavy snow beginning in the early afternoon. At this point, the National Weather Service is predicting snowfall totals in the 6-10 inch range in southeastern Minnesota.  The snow will be accompanied by howling northwest winds at 25-35 mph with gusts over 45 mph, which is expected to result in large snowdrifts and white out conditions that could make travel impossible.
The nasty forecast has already prompted the Rochester School District to cancel classes on Thursday, and Delta Airlines has announced that its entire schedule of flights to and from the Rochester Airport on Thursday have been canceled.