Winter Storm Astro Brings Heavy Snow, High Winds and Bitter Cold Into Upper Midwest

http://www.wunderground.com/news/winter-storm-astro-state-state-impacts-20141111

By Sean Breslin 
Published: November 11, 2014

Updated Tuesday at 8:40 a.m. EST

The worst of Winter Storm Astro shifted into northern Wisconsin and Michigan's Upper Peninsula Tuesday morning, but not before dropping at least a foot of snow in parts of the Upper Midwest Monday.

"Winter Storm Astro dumped a foot or more of snow in a swath from central Minnesota to northern Wisconsin and the U.P. of Michigan," said weather.com senior meteorologist Jon Erdman. "For some, that foot-plus snowfall was the first of the season."

The highest snowfall totals so far were in the towns of St. Augusta and Cambridge, where at least 16.5 inches of snow were recorded. St. Cloud saw at least 13 inches, making Monday the snowiest day there in 49 years.

Tuesday morning is still expected to be rough for drivers. The NWS office in Minneapolis was reminding people black ice could be on the roads.

Before the worst of the storm wraps up Tuesday into Wednesday morning, parts of northern Wisconsin and Michigan's U.P. could see one to two feet of snow. 

Here's a look at how Astro has impacted each state so far.

Michigan

The state's Upper Peninsula is expected to receive some of the highest snow totals from Astro, and more than a foot of snow had already fallen by Tuesday morning in areas like Iron River, Herman and Negaunee.

National Weather Service meteorologist Justin Titus told the Associated Press that roads are in "very poor condition," with two- to three-inch-per-hour snowfall rates occurring Tuesday morning. As much as two additional feet of snow could fall before Astro leaves the U.P.

Gusty winds will also be an issue in the area, and the combination could lead to some power outages.

Colorado

As much as a half-foot of snow fell in parts of the state, leading to trouble on roadways.

A major accident involving as many as 10 cars was reported in Denver Thursday afternoon. The accident occurred on northbound Colorado Boulevard approaching I-70, according to The Denver Post.

According to COTrip.org, there were several closures on I-70 due to unfavorable conditions and multiple accidents on Monday. I-70 was reported reopened west of Denver late Monday afternoon.

Loveland experienced power outages and high winds toppled trees and caused problems along the Front Range, CBS4 reported. West of Denver, areas near Berthoud Pass measured a wind gust of 86 mph early Monday morning.

Minnesota

As the snow lingered on roadways Tuesday morning, drivers were expected to have another rough day due to Astro's wintry legacy across the state.

The Minnesota Department of Transportation's website showed well over half of the state's major roadways at least partially covered in snow Tuesday morning. As a result, many schools will open two hours late for the day, including St. Cloud, Melrose and Princeton, according to the Associated Press.

Lt. Eric Roeske of the State Patrol said troopers responded to 393 crashes statewide on Monday beginning at 5 a.m., WCCO-TV reported. Roeske noted 559 vehicles went off the road or spun out. There were two fatalities, and 37 others sustained injuries, according to the Minnesota State Patrol.

Drivers experienced a slow Thursday evening commute due to snow, but KSTP-TV traffic reporter Josie Smith noted there were fewer crashes and delays than Monday morning.

High school officials are considering rescheduling and changing locations for state football semifinal games, according to StarTribune.com. On Monday, Associate Director of the Minnesota State High School League Kevin Merkle stated that the prospect of colder weather will continue to make fields less safe for players even after snow removal.

Air travel was also affected at Minneapolis-St. Paul International Airport. According to data released by the FAA, some arriving flights were delayed by more than six hours Monday morning.

Wisconsin

Areas of northwestern Wisconsin were socked the hardest by Astro, with the highest snow total – 14 inches – observed in Spooner. But the event isn't over for the state, as another round of snow is on the way Tuesday.

Some schools are canceling classes Tuesday, including Rhinelander, Ashland, Wabeno and Florence districts, the Associated Press reported.

A school bus carrying five students and an aide slipped off the road and tipped over Monday morning in Clintonville, WBAY-TV reported. The group of students included one high schooler and four kindergartners. The Outagamie County Sheriff's Office said the driver and aide were taken to New London hospital, while the children were unharmed.

According to wisconsinrapidstribune.com, Quentin Ellis of the Wood County Sheriff's Department said several vehicles slid into ditches around Wisconsin Rapids, and there were more crashes in the Marshfield area. Wisconsin Rapids Police Sgt. Mike Potocki reported there was one crash and a car went up onto a median. 

Delta Air Lines made traveling a bit easier for customers after issuing a winter weather waiver for those traveling to and from Green Bay in Wisconsin and Minneapolis and Rochester in Minnesota on Monday, htrnews.com noted.

A hardware store owner in Webster told The Weather Channel he sold a typical winter's worth of snowblowers in two days as Astro approached.

Montana

- Highest recorded snow total from Astro: 14 inches near Whitefish

- Strongest wind gust: 63 mph near Bozeman

North Dakota

- Highest recorded snow total from Astro: 8.5 inches near Bowman

South Dakota

- Highest recorded snow total from Astro: 8.5 inches near downtown Rapid City

Wyoming

- Highest recorded snow total from Astro: 14 inches near Alta

- Strongest wind gust: 84 mph near Clark