Ice storm warning issued for parts of the Northland

The National Weather Service has upgraded the freezing rain advisory to an ice storm warning for parts of the Northland this morning as ice continues to accumulate on roads and sidewalks. Some schools have delayed or canceled classes for today.

Freezing rain overnight has coated trees, decks, sidewalks and other untreated surfaces with a thick glaze of ice. Some roads are reported to be hazardous because of ice buildup.

The ice storm warning is for Itasca, Koochiching, Cass and Beltrami counties, where more-steady freezing rain has continued overnight and led to greater ice accumulations, which may reach a quarter-inch. The warning includes Grand Rapids, International Falls and Bemidji.

Elsewhere in the Northland, including Duluth and Superior, a less-severe freezing rain advisory remains in effect until noon today, for ice accumulations of up to a quarter-inch. Patchy light freezing rain or drizzle is expected this morning.

Some schools to the north and west of Duluth decided late Thursday to delay or cancel classes on Friday. Find a list of closings and delays here.

The Minnesota Department of Transportation reports many icy roads in Northeastern Minnesota, especially in areas north and west of Duluth. The Wisconsin DOT reports some ice-covered highways in Northwestern Wisconsin.

As of 5:15 a.m., Minnesota Power reported 200 customers without power in the Silver Bay area. Aside from that, Minnesota Power and Lake Country Power were not reporting any widespread power outages in the Northland.

Heavy snow possible

After the freezing rain ends later today, snow is forecast to develop across parts of the Northland. The heaviest snow is expected north of the Iron Range, where a winter weather advisory is in effect for northern St. Louis, northern Itasca and Koochiching counties - including Ely, International Falls and Bigfork - from 6 p.m. Friday to 4 p.m. Saturday.

The Weather Service is forecasting snowfall of 3 to 7 inches in the advisory area. Lesser snowfall of 1 to 2 inches is expected for the Iron Range, with about an inch of snow possible in the Twin Ports.

Temperatures are forecast to reach the mid- to upper 30s today, and then the 20s for highs on Saturday before taking a plunge later in the day. Lows Saturday night may fall below zero in many areas.

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