Heavy lake-effect snow continues along South Shore

A National Weather Service spotter near Oulu in Bayfield County reported 4.6 inches of snow between 12:45 p.m. and 3:30 p.m. Monday, with total snowfall of nearly 14 inches — and counting — through 5:45 p.m. A spotter reported 7 inches of snow and counting near Amnicon Falls State Park.A winter storm warning is in effect for Douglas and Bayfield counties until 6 a.m. Tuesday, with the heaviest totals expected in the northern parts of those counties. Winter weather advisories are in effect for Ashland and Iron counties. The South Shore school district in Port Wing announced Monday night that it would be starting classes two hours late Tuesday; for weather and closing updates Tuesday morning, check back to www.duluthnewstribune.com.

The heavy precipitation is the result of a persistent band of lake-effect snow, caused by northeast winds off Lake Superior, that set up across Douglas and Bayfield counties.

Lesser snow totals were reported elsewhere in the region; the Duluth International Airport reported a total of 2 inches of snow from Sunday through 6 p.m. Monday.

Gusty winds caused blowing snow and made for difficult driving at times. Statewide, the Minnesota State Patrol reported 688 crashes (59 involving injuries, and one involving a fatality in northwestern Minnesota) along with 444 spinouts and nine jackknifed semis on state and federal highways between midnight and 4 p.m. Monday.

After highs near 10 in Duluth on Tuesday, the Weather Service reported that a warmup is in the forecast — with highs forecast to reach the 20s on Wednesday and 30s on Thursday.