Update 2 p.m.
WILLMAR -- The National Weather Service says west central Minnesota can expect more new snow accumulation this afternoon and tonight. A winter storm warning for much of the region remains in effect until 6 a.m. Tuesday.
The west central Minnesota forecast this afternoon includes up to 2 inches of new snow and east winds 10 to 15 mph. Tonight's forecast includes up to 2 inches of snow, with areas of blowing and drifting snow after midnight.
Willmar has received 7.5 inches of snow by 10 a.m. today, while much of the Twin Cities had gotten close to 4 inches.
As of 5 a.m. today, the NWS had expanded the winter storm warning to the South Dakota bor-der, adding several western counties and the cities of Madison and Granite Falls.
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The warning remains in effect through 6 a.m. Tuesday for cities including Litchfield, Little Falls, St. Cloud and Willmar and through noon Tuesday for areas including the Twin Cities and south central Minnesota.
Roughly 80 rural schools or districts started classes two hours late today and roughly 50 rural districts or schools are closed across southern and western Minnesota.
A wide swath of Minnesota including Fergus Falls and Willmar in the west to Fairmont and Austin in the south is included in a winter storm warning. Forecasters say up to 8 inches to 13 inches are expected in some of those areas by Tuesday.
The weather service expects 6 to 8 inches of additional snow in areas south and west of Will-mar, with another 4 to 6 inches expected along the I-94 corridor and the Twin Cities.
The forecast Wednesday is for partly cloudy in the morning and then becoming mostly sunny in the afternoon. Highs around 15. North winds 10 mph.
Road conditions are difficult in most of the region, according to data from the Minnesota Department of Transportations 511mn.org site. Road conditions are slippery and icy, with blowing snow and low visibility.
Update 9 a.m.
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WILLMAR -- At least 2 inches of snow has already fallen across west central Minnesota and the National Weather Service is predicting up to 8 more inches of snow and gusty north winds are expected in west central Minnesota.
As of 8:39 a.m., 7.5 inches of snow had fallen in Willmar, according to one weather observer for the weather service.
As of 5 a.m. today, the NWS had expanded the winter storm warning to the South Dakota border, adding several western counties and the cities of Madison and Granite Falls
The warning remains in effect through 6 a.m. Tuesday for cities including Litchfield, Little Falls, St. Cloud and Willmar and through noon Tuesday for areas including the Twin Cities and south central Minnesota.
The weather service expects 6 to 8 inches of additional snow in areas south and west of Willmar, with another 4 to 6 inches expected along the I-94 corridor and the Twin Cities.
Road conditions are difficult in most of the region, according to data from the Minnesota Department of Transportations 511mn.org site. Road conditions are slippery and icy, with blowing snow and low visibility.
Get more information by going to http://www.crh.noaa.gov/mpx/ and get road condition information at www.511mn.org .
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