March snowstorm could snarl travel across Midwest

The Bismarck Tribune via AP

Snow-covered trees form a scenic canopy over Bismarck, N.D., on Monday, March 4, 2013, in the wake of a slow-moving winter storm that passed through the state.

A late-winter storm was expected to gum up travel Tuesday as it crept slowly across the Central and Midwest U.S. before heading east later in the week, forecasters said Monday.


The storm was expected to peter out by the time it hits New York and Boston later in the week, but not before it creates a mess for commuters from Upper Mississippi and Ohio River valleys eastward to the Atlantic Coast.


Significant snowfall will make travel dangerous Monday night and Tuesday in the Upper Midwest, especially around major cities like Minneapolis, Indianapolis and Chicago. The Weather Channel warned that major delays were likely Tuesday at O'Hare and Midway airports.

Chicago is expected to get its biggest snowfall of the season — as much as 10 inches by Tuesday evening. The National Weather Service said accumulation rates of one to two inches an hour beginning Tuesday morning would make "snow removal difficult and travel extremely dangerous."

"Consider only traveling if in an emergency," it said in issuing a winter storm warning for the city.

Unseasonably warm temperatures Monday melted some of the winter's snow in the Twin Cities of Minneapolis and St. Paul — just in time for a new blast of winter that could drop as much as 7 inches of new snow overnight and Tuesday.

"I'm tired of being ready for winter. I am ready for it be spring," Barbara Eckley of Minneapolis told NBC station KARE.

By Wednesday, significant accumulations were forecast for the Washington area. Major flight delays are possible at Washington-Dulles, Reagan National and possibly Baltimore-Washington International airports.

Forecasters are expecting accumulations of 8 to 10 inches of snow in the Chicago area on Tuesday with major delays at O'Hare Airport. NBC's Brian Williams reports.

While the storm isn't yet expected to hit the Northeast hard — forecasters said they'd have a better picture later in the week — the travel delays could have a noticeable ripple effect Wednesday in Philadelphia, New York and Boston.

The system has meandered across the country since it formed off the West Coast last week. It was dropping heavy snow Monday on an area stretching from northeast Montana through parts of North Dakota and Minnesota and into eastern Iowa.

A foot of snow had already fallen in parts of eastern North Dakota by noon Monday, NBC station KVLY of Fargo reported. Snow-covered passing lanes and reduced visibility were expected to remain a problem into Tuesday.

At least 38 traffic accidents were reported in Black Hawk County in central Iowa by 6:30 a.m., NBC station KWWL of Waterloo reported. Six to 10 more inches are possible in the region by Tuesday morning.

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6 inches of snow is nothing in Chicago. I grew up there and that was nothing. Why is it big news now.

  • 15 votes
#1 - Mon Mar 4, 2013 4:18 AM EST

isn't 6 inches of snow in Chicago just another cocaine drop?

  • 10 votes
#1.1 - Mon Mar 4, 2013 6:28 AM EST

Too bad it isn't 3 feet of snow to keep the gang-bangers curbed for a week...

Put a shovel in their hands and see if they can push snow around as easy as they do innocent civilians...

Mary,

It's not "big" news. This is MSN... It's just "news"...

  • 21 votes
#1.2 - Mon Mar 4, 2013 7:01 AM EST

If 6 inches is alot of snow. They have enough salt on the streets from last winter to melt that. Have you ever seen the rusted out cars in Chicago. Second only to Wisconsin.

  • 11 votes
#1.3 - Mon Mar 4, 2013 7:17 AM EST

Six inches of snow is 'big news' because the mainstream media needs to hype up everything to make people believe it is that important -- and to gain readership for their advertising customers. Colorado got twice that much last week and nobody said sh1t about it, because Colorado is supposed to be the 'frozen white north' after Halloween. Nobody goes to Chicago to go skiing. It's all media hype.

  • 6 votes
#1.4 - Mon Mar 4, 2013 8:03 AM EST

oh well makes my yard look better. hate this time of year,,,big dog, small yard.

gm Mary CD.

  • 6 votes
#1.5 - Mon Mar 4, 2013 8:52 AM EST

GM Scooter how is it going

  • 2 votes
#1.6 - Mon Mar 4, 2013 9:19 AM EST

Great,

They start out the story this morning with "Chicago" is getting hit with 6" of snow, we all posted our comments accordingly, then it's "updated" to "Storms dumps snow from Minnesota to Tennessee" and our comments now look like they're out in left field.

LOL

Mornin' Scooter....

At least your post is neutral. :-)

  • 6 votes
#1.7 - Mon Mar 4, 2013 9:58 AM EST

GM Scooter, CD, Carol, Mary.

makes my yard look better. hate this time of year,,,big dog, small yard

With the snow/moisture and the "fertilizer" from the big dog, your grass woill be luscious and green come Spring - who needs Scott's Bonus S then? LOL

Hope you all do well with the weather and I'll be thinking of y'all!

  • 2 votes
#1.8 - Mon Mar 4, 2013 10:22 AM EST

I'm curious about why MSN feels the need to put out a dramatic story every time the Midwest gets snow. Maybe if it was Florida or Arizona it would be news, but it's the midwest, they always get snow like this.

  • 4 votes
#1.9 - Mon Mar 4, 2013 10:23 AM EST

So global warming is at play again, freezing everyone to death......cold weather = global warming...warm weather = global warming, snow= global warming, no snow= global warming, rain = global warming, no rain = global warming, I got a flat tire = global warming.......There is only one true cause and effect with the weather and that is that when it is cold for an extended period of time.....the global warming "believers" are quiet...this should be made into a law of physics!

  • 5 votes
#1.10 - Mon Mar 4, 2013 11:18 AM EST

67 Bonneville Guy - I loved your post!!!! My husband has been researching the fraud called "global warming" for some time. it truly is a mechanism created by the government to once again take money from people who worked for it and give to people - Al Gore for example - who didn't do a damn thing except dream up an amazing scheme to defraud the American people.

Planet earth since its inception has gone through phases or getting warmer, getting colder. DUH.

  • 5 votes
#1.11 - Mon Mar 4, 2013 11:43 AM EST

LOL@Creek Dog. Yea, I definitely wasn't following the comments about Chicago. I thought I missed something when I read the article...LOL.

  • 3 votes
#1.12 - Mon Mar 4, 2013 12:13 PM EST

Oh my God watch out it's being winter outside during winter!!!!....Run for your lives!!!!!.....Stock up months supplies to last through the night!......Oh for cripes sakes newspeople...get a grip and fire half the people reporting weather or chang them to writing real news stories.....

  • 3 votes
#1.13 - Mon Mar 4, 2013 1:11 PM EST

And I been thinking of you Jack, suffering like you do in that hell hole with the beach and the sound of the ocean. :) It rained here last night, now it is snowing. GM Scoots and the usual suspects.

  • 1 vote
#1.14 - Mon Mar 4, 2013 1:22 PM EST

stonepipie.... been hitting it a little lately?! GM you say in the afternoon?! LOL and GA brotha... & jack...

starsailing,

May I ask WTF you're talking about? I didn't see anyone up in arms over 6 " of snow above us....

Take a look for yourself dude... Whatsamatter?! No wind?! LOL

  • 1 vote
#1.15 - Mon Mar 4, 2013 1:27 PM EST

Creek Bro, my post says 1;22 PM! Now, who's being naughty? Have a good one!

    #1.16 - Mon Mar 4, 2013 1:59 PM EST

    Dog gone it Creek! I read you're post wrong, it IS the afternoon and I said good morning! Oooops!

      #1.17 - Mon Mar 4, 2013 5:03 PM EST

      Idiots!

        #1.18 - Mon Mar 4, 2013 9:07 PM EST

        That is not very nice, you hurt my feelings.

          #1.19 - Mon Mar 4, 2013 10:01 PM EST
          Reply
          Jim Bowievia FacebookDeleted

          Oh please. 6" of snow other than the south or in D.C. is nothing. Must be one hell of a slow news day.

          • 3 votes
          Reply#3 - Mon Mar 4, 2013 7:53 AM EST

          Morning I.A.ScooterTramp, CreekDog and the rest of you usual instigators! You know who you are, always confusing the lost with plain directions that leave them going in circles because they demand doing things complicated even as they go through life with blinders on and ears plugged.

          When one hears about six inches it sure sounds like it isn't anything.But do try to keep in mind, usually the snow doesn't gently fall straight downward.When you get the nasty ice cold winds blowing that six inches does tend to pile up a bit.Sure, it's not three feet, but it can impact places more then folks realize and get them in trouble faster plastic on ice.

          That is the tricky part.People under estimate such things,blowing off and not preparing themselves with warm blankets, essentials when traveling and find themselves stuck suddenly and it becomes a life and death struggle they never even thought possible. What should never have happened, takes a life because folks just didn't THINK it was that big a deal.Foolishness and stupidity are always wins the losing hand in common cents in the game of life.

          • 3 votes
          #3.1 - Mon Mar 4, 2013 12:08 PM EST

          GA Windancer

          It seems no matter what "suggestions" are made, those that are plowing (excuse the pun) ahead full steam in a snowstorm, they do not heed advice. Learned long ago, if a person wants/needs advice they should be smart enough to ask.

          There are those that talk to themselves and that's OK, There are those that answer themselves and that's OK, However, when they argue with their own answers, then that is a sure fire sign they are 'nuckin' futz. Those are the ones to be wary of!

            #3.2 - Mon Mar 4, 2013 2:07 PM EST

            Windancer-

            If your post was at the beginning of winter I'd have no problem with it. But this article is about the Midwest, and in my part of the MW (NW Wisc), we've had snow for the last 3 1/2mo. So most of us know the drill. For some reason the first snow of the year causes a lot of wrecks. It's like every other driver suffers from short term memory loss season to season.

            Why there were so many wrecks in Iowa, who knows? Maybe they're getting careless or they haven't had much snow this year and lost their winter driving skills.

              #3.3 - Mon Mar 4, 2013 10:33 PM EST

              I have family back in Minnesota, Wisconsin and Iowa. It seems you may be right, Iowa drivers haven't had much snow but accidents have been up as they have in Minnesota, around the Twin Cities and Duluth area. But a member in Wisconsin says she hasn't had it too bad in her location. But our family got to talking about a couple that got caught in a snow storm off the beaten trail and their vehicle got stuck. He tried walking to get help, she waited until after the storm cleared. He didn't make it, she nearly didn't and was found by folks snowmobiling.To think they just wanted to go for a drive up to a favorite cabin. Not expecting much snow.But it got really cold and area wasn't well traveled. So just a reminder, late snow storms can still catch us by surprise.

                #3.4 - Mon Mar 4, 2013 11:03 PM EST

                It's too bad that couple didn't stay in the car. That's always best. When I could still drive (WI frowns on people with epilepsy driving, besides the meds really mess with your balance and response time anyway), my car always had extra clothes, coats, boots, etc. Not to mention it's impossible to plan for weather temps here anyway no matter what the season. Except maybe for the 2 weeks around July 4th.

                You could be wearing shorts and a tank top in the morning in the summer and end up in jeans and a sweatshirt by nightfall quite often. You must of heard that old joke about WI? If you don't like the weather in WI, just wait 5min and it'll change. It's so true.

                I think we're the only state that has to travel with a 4 seasons wardrobe. I really hope this is the last one though. We needed moisture and are mostly caught up, but I'm perfectly fine getting it from rain now.

                  #3.5 - Mon Mar 4, 2013 11:43 PM EST
                  Reply

                  Maybe it wil keep the gang bangers indoors fr a few days.

                  • 4 votes
                  Reply#4 - Mon Mar 4, 2013 8:13 AM EST

                  the legislators and politicians are in Springfield, not Chicago....oh the other ones....never mind.

                  • 6 votes
                  #4.1 - Mon Mar 4, 2013 8:49 AM EST
                  Reply

                  For any area where it normally snows in the winter, 6 inches is nothing to "brace" for. I kept wondering if that was supposed to be in feet. But be a seriously slow news day.

                  What's next, "Chicago residents prepare to don mittens to avoid cold hands".

                  • 6 votes
                  Reply#5 - Mon Mar 4, 2013 8:43 AM EST

                  What's next, "Chicago residents prepare to don mittens to avoid cold hands".

                  only if those mittens are the kind with a hole in them for their trigger finger

                  (GMTF)

                  • 5 votes
                  #5.1 - Mon Mar 4, 2013 8:46 AM EST

                  GM,

                  I just realized I wrote "But be a seriously".. must be Monday.

                  • 3 votes
                  #5.2 - Mon Mar 4, 2013 9:03 AM EST
                  Reply

                  according to the local radar this major storm just blew trough here, got about a quarter inch on my car.

                  • 4 votes
                  Reply#6 - Mon Mar 4, 2013 8:43 AM EST

                  Good morning Jack, Scooter.

                  • 2 votes
                  #6.1 - Mon Mar 4, 2013 10:32 AM EST

                  Hey Carol, how goes it in SC this fine morning, here anyway?

                  • 1 vote
                  #6.2 - Mon Mar 4, 2013 11:03 AM EST

                  Doing great. Saturday we got a 150 wild bore on the land. Suckers are tearing this place apart. So many of them,and I mean packs of them. 22 this morning here burrrrrrrr

                  • 2 votes
                  #6.3 - Mon Mar 4, 2013 11:29 AM EST

                  Wow 150 wild boar! We used to hunt javalena in TX. They are the Texan version of wild boar. Then we would roast "piggy" and lots of Coors, play volleyball and just have a great time.

                  Wild Boar will definitely mess up the sod as they root for tasty items under it. Do y'all hunt the wild boar there? If not, some of my fellow "teammates" would be delighted to "thin the herd"! They are excellent BBQ material, LOL.

                  • 1 vote
                  #6.4 - Mon Mar 4, 2013 11:52 AM EST

                  Hunting them every chance we get. They breed worst than rabbits. These are feral hogs

                  • 2 votes
                  #6.5 - Mon Mar 4, 2013 1:04 PM EST
                  Reply

                  The only question is...will they end up being pounded or pummeled.

                  • 3 votes
                  Reply#7 - Mon Mar 4, 2013 8:44 AM EST

                  Let is Snow Let it Snow Let it Snow. I will help the crops.

                  • 2 votes
                  Reply#8 - Mon Mar 4, 2013 9:21 AM EST

                  I'm hoping for 6 feet of snow for chicago

                  • 2 votes
                  Reply#9 - Mon Mar 4, 2013 9:22 AM EST

                  Meanwhile, here in Denver, we're bracing and preparing for a quick shot of snow a bit later in the day. Probably <1 inch.

                  • 1 vote
                  Reply#10 - Mon Mar 4, 2013 9:31 AM EST

                  The last I checked on the calendar, it is still the Winter season. Let it snow, let it snow. It is good for the crops because most of our lakes, streams and rivers get their water from the melting snow caps on mountains. We still need the help of Mother Nature to grow our crops...unless someone out there has a secret to making water?

                  • 2 votes
                  Reply#11 - Mon Mar 4, 2013 9:40 AM EST

                  The sequester turned out to be nothing, so this is the news of the day.

                  • 2 votes
                  Reply#12 - Mon Mar 4, 2013 10:12 AM EST

                  Except of course for the Dakotas, Wyoming and Montana where I live, snow makes national headlines. We got hit by this storm last night with snow and gale-force winds, and nary a mention about the dangerous conditions it posed for us. Thanks, news putzes. The weirdos at The Weather Channel got their book of evil names out again but somehow came up with the name Winter Storm Saturn, sounds dangerous and imposing to me. I suppose I'll be rebuked by some know-it-all who will educate me on the great and powerful connotations behind the term "Saturn."

                  • 2 votes
                  Reply#13 - Mon Mar 4, 2013 10:34 AM EST

                  I'm surprised no one has yet mentioned the obvious grammatical error: "Storms dumps snow..."; It should be either "Storm dumps snow..." or "storms dump snow...", subject-verb agreement.

                  • 2 votes
                  Reply#14 - Mon Mar 4, 2013 10:46 AM EST

                  Darn! Usually I am ON the grammar mishaps. Eh. It's Monday. I'm still half asleep. But good catch. :)

                  • 1 vote
                  #14.1 - Mon Mar 4, 2013 12:22 PM EST
                  Reply

                  Why isn't Al Gore screaming his global warming propaganda the last 4 months or so? Is he too high from the terrorist dollars when he sold out to them? Liberal POS!!!

                  • 1 vote
                  Reply#15 - Mon Mar 4, 2013 11:32 AM EST

                  Earlier there was Drought in many states of the USA. Now it is snowing heavily in many states of the USA. This may be due to Global Warming and Change of Weather. May there be NO loss of lives in this snowstorm. May there be NO loss of houses and infrastructure and no damage to property in this snowstorm. Americans in the snowy areas should stay indoors and stock up all the essentials. GOD Bless the Americans. GOD BLESS THE USA.

                  Kevin Valentine Moraes

                  Mira Road (Thane)

                  • 1 vote
                  Reply#16 - Mon Mar 4, 2013 11:35 AM EST

                  I'll bet Al "The Bore" Gore is upset that his global warming network is being exposed for the frauds they really are.

                  • 2 votes
                  Reply#17 - Mon Mar 4, 2013 11:42 AM EST

                  Where is global warming? Oops, now it is global climate change. We have been studying the weather for not longer than 200 years. The age of the earth is 4.5 billion years old. So, we have come up with a accurate analysis with a test of .000044. Now that is accurate. Ya.

                  • 5 votes
                  Reply#18 - Mon Mar 4, 2013 11:46 AM EST
                  Reply

                  I'm not getting all the gangbanger jokes that are becoming a bit tired as I scroll down. But, I didn't read the article until AFTER it was updated either so I am assuming the "gangbanger" tired jokes are in reference to when the article was about Chicago....

                  • 1 vote
                  Reply#19 - Mon Mar 4, 2013 12:17 PM EST

                  yes, 6 inches of snow is nothing for Chicago or Northern Illinois. I lived there for 33 years, and have seen 3 feet of snow on Easter weekend, and also, and this was once, mind you 40, below zero with a wind chill of 80 below! Global climatic change? The climate is dynamic, and is always changing. When the Europeans were enjoying the medieval warm period, China was having a severe drought which killed millions. If it is warmer today then it's ever been, why did they have vineyards at higher elevations then they do now, and what happened to the Middle Passage across Greenland?

                  • 1 vote
                  Reply#20 - Mon Mar 4, 2013 12:23 PM EST

                  Since when is 6 inches of snow a news item It's winter it snows in the winter. All of this years snow will be great for the farmers in the midwest. I guess I should be happy they didn't name this one.

                  • 1 vote
                  Reply#21 - Mon Mar 4, 2013 12:51 PM EST

                  Plow truck Filled Up and ready to Go!!!!!! Come on Snow, Time to make some CASH!

                    Reply#22 - Mon Mar 4, 2013 2:06 PM EST

                    Let it Snow! Let it Snow! Let it Snow!

                    I live in California where it is sunny and 65 degrees.

                      Reply#23 - Mon Mar 4, 2013 2:14 PM EST

                      I feel sorry for you. Snow is beautiful!

                        #23.1 - Mon Mar 4, 2013 6:04 PM EST
                        Reply

                        Whoop-dee-doo...........another snow fall. Like we've haven't seen this before. So let's all panic and rush over to Walmart and do grocery shopping before the big bad "storm". Rush back home, slide into the back of a police car, get arrested or have a stroke, because you couldn't get home fast enough. You want to see ignorance at its' best, just watch the Wal-martians come and go. LOL

                        • 1 vote
                        Reply#24 - Mon Mar 4, 2013 2:46 PM EST
                        Reply

                        When I was younger, there was snow, you went to work. Maybe late, but you went. I have younger employees now who call off at the first sight of a snow flake. Actually, they start talking about missing work 2-3 days before the snow even comes. I won't even go into school closings.

                        • 1 vote
                        Reply#26 - Mon Mar 4, 2013 3:25 PM EST

                        Opposite Here, the schools haven't had a snow day going on three years. Two Buses in the Ditch and an accident though. The Chairman of the school board doesn't like to Call A Snow Day because too many parents call and complain about it. But Kids on a bus in the ditch is OK.

                          #26.1 - Mon Mar 4, 2013 4:01 PM EST

                          My lord, here they close the school at the hint of snow. And this is central PA!!!! They are so terrified of someone suing the schools if the buses have a mishap. Jeepers, I grew up in Buffalo, NY, if they closed the schools there like here, they would have to go to school all summer to make up the time off!!!

                            #26.2 - Mon Mar 4, 2013 6:06 PM EST
                            Reply

                            couldn't happen to a nicer group of people (cough) 515

                              Reply#27 - Mon Mar 4, 2013 3:54 PM EST
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