Winter Storm Leaves Big Snowfall Totals In NW Minnesota; Rain In Metro

MINNEAPOLIS (WCCO/AP) -- A winter storm has dumped nearly a foot of snow in western Minnesota as it sweeps across the Upper Midwest.

Minnesota transportation officials say road conditions across much of the central and northern areas of the state are completely covered with ice and snow, with windy conditions causing even more travel issues. MnDOT says it might be better to wait for conditions to improve if travel isn't necessary.

Rain is melting the snow that fell in the metro, but major parts of Minnesota are racking up impressive snowfall totals Thursday. And it's not quite over yet.

According to meteorologist Chris Shaffer, the winter storm that began on Wednesday has dumped several inches of snow on major parts of northern and western Minnesota. WCCO Weather Watchers have reported snow totals of 10 inches in Silver Bay, 9 inches in Fergus Falls, and 8 inches in Bemidji.

Around 10.5 to 11 inches of snow fell in the Moorhead-Alexandria area by mid-afternoon Thursday, and it's still snowing.

Alexandria saw 6 inches as of 11 a.m. Thursday, and Park Rapids more than 7 inches. The Twin Cities and St. Cloud were sitting below 3 inches of snow at the midday point.

That snow will continue in the western, northern and northwestern parts of the state through the day Thursday. Snow should taper off by Friday morning.

In the Twin Cities metro area, colder temperatures arrive in the evening and snow should return. It's likely that the Twin Cities will only see possibly another inch from this system, though.

The winter weather advisory that affected the metro area counties was cancelled Thursday morning.

Temperatures will drop into Saturday. Colder temperatures mean roads could be slippery and icy, so motorists should use caution.

(© Copyright 2018 CBS Broadcasting Inc. All Rights Reserved. The Associated Press contributed to this report.)

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