BEMIDJI - The second major snow storm in less than a week has descended upon the Bemidji area. Up to eight inches of snow fell in some areas overnight, and high winds this morning limited visibility. Most schools in the Bemidji area are closed today, and Bemidji State University had a two-hour late start.
Bemidji is under a winter storm warning through 7 p.m. tonight. A Winter Storm Warning means significant amounts of snow is occuring, making travel very hazardous or impossible.
The warning affects central Minnesota, up through northwestern Minnesota and east toward the Iron Range and arrowhead. Southeastern North Dakota is also affected.
Local counties included in the warning include Norman, Clay, East Polk, Clearwater, southern Beltrami, Mahnomen, Hubbard, Becker, Wilkin, Otter Tail, Wadena, Grant, Cass, Ransom, Sargent and Richland.
The culprit for the latest round of winter weather is a potent low pressure system tracking from the northwest toward Iowa.
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High snowfall totals are expected on a line from Lisbon, N.D. through Fargo, N.D. to Bemidji. Snowfall exceeding one foot is possible on a line from Fergus Falls to Wadena.
The snow will be accompanied by strong winds from the northeast, reaching as high as 35 miles per hour Thursday night. The winds will switch to the north by Friday morning.
The National Weather Service is discouraging travel Thursday night and Friday morning. Motorists should expect difficult driving conditions through the weekend with winds blowing around the new snow. Conditions are expected to improve by Friday afternoon as snow tapers off.
The new storm comes on the heels of last weekend's snowstorm, which dumped nearly two feet of snow on Bemidji.
