Heavy Snow Closes Schools In Northern Minnesota
MINNEAPOLIS (AP/WCCO) — Another wintry blast has buried northeastern Minnesota under more than a foot-and-a-half of new snow, disrupted travel and closed schools.
Winter's sticking around so long up north that locals are starting to worry as the Minnesota fishing opener is quickly approaching on May 10-11.
The National Weather Service says 22 inches of snow has fallen in Two Harbors in Lake County, with 20 inches at Lake Nichols in St. Louis County. Duluth, Proctor and Cloquet are among the school districts canceling classes.
The heavy snow left more than 6,000 Minnesota Power customers without service early Friday. Utility crews made swift progress in restoring power.
The mounting snow is a record for Duluth in April. With nearly 42 inches of snow so far, it easily surpassed 31.6 inches set in 1950. Forecasters say lake-effect snow should continue to fall along Wisconsin's south shore, with a band of moderate snow in Carlton and northern Pine counties.
In Isle, Minn., beside Lake Mille Lacs is Chapman's, a fishing resort. Manager Tina Chapman says she typically would be opening cabins at this time, but has had to stay closed -- the lake still has two feet of ice.
She says all her cabins are booked for opening day.
"It'll melt," she said. "We need the moisture. So it's good."
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