STORM UPDATE: NWS issues wind chill advisory
Published 12:10 pm Thursday, January 11, 2018
- Thursday's storm had provided only a dusting in Austin by about noon. Chris Baldus/chris.baldus@austindailyherald.com
The Austin Daily Herald will post storm updates here throughout the day, so check back.
WEATHER UPDATE (3:31 p.m.)
A wind child advisory is in effect from 9 p.m. this evening to 10 a.m. Friday, according to the National Weather Service.
“Expect the snow to gradually end from southwest to northeast through 6 p.m,” its latest update says. “Some roads will remain snow covered or icy into this evening. In addition, northwest winds gusting to 35 mph will create areas of blowing and drifting snow, especially across open areas of southeast Minnesota and northeast Iowa.
“Temperatures will fall into the single digits below zero over southeast Minnesota and northeast Iowa tonight. With brisk northwest winds continuing, wind chill values are expected to drop to 15 below to 25 below zero tonight into tomorrow morning. Frostbite to exposed skin can occur in as little as 30 minutes under these wind chills.”
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(12:30 p.m.) — At the Austin Municipal Airport as of 12:28 p.m., there is light snow and a 22 mph northwest wind with gusts up to 30 mph. The temperature is 5 degrees. At the Albert Lea Municipal airport, however, there was heavy snow, a northwest wind of 16 mph with gusts up to 24 mph. The temp is 3 degrees.
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(11:30 a.m.) — Much of southeast Minnesota , north-central Iowa and southwest Wisconsin is now below freezing, with earlier rainfall freezing on roadways, according the the National Weather Service office in La Crosse, Wis.
Reports from the Iowa and Minnesota transportation departments indicate roads are partially to completely covered in snow and ice covered. Spinoffs have been reported. Visibilities of 1 mile or less is being reported in areas with the heaviest snow.
The snow will continue to fall on and off through the day, with a narrow band of somewhat heavier snow (2 to 5 inches) expected from central and northeast Iowa across southeast Minnesota into western and north-central Wisconsin. A small shift to the band could drastically change your snow total.
Snow is beginning to spread into the area and cover roads, while ice remains underneath the snow. Roads are very slick and spinouts have been reported, so avoid travel if you can, but if you must go out, check road conditions and drive with caution.
CANCELLATIONS
- Austin Public Schools: Closed. sports and school activities cancelled. Spelling bees postponed until Friday at Ellis Auditorium
- Southland School District: Closed
- LeRoy-Ostrander Public Schools: Closed
- Lyle Public School: Closed. All activities and games will be rescheduled
