Northern Aitkin

... Winter Storm Warning remains in effect until 6 am CST
Saturday...

* snow will continue in the Walker... Brainerd... Pine River... Hill
City... Aitkin... Hinckley and Spooner areas for much of the
morning... before possibly letting up somewhat by midday. The
next round of heavier snow will arrive tonight... along with
increasing east winds. This heavy snow will continue into
Christmas day.

* Storm total snow accumulations of 12 to 16 inches appear
likely... with some amounts up to 20 inches possible.

* East to northeast winds will diminish somewhat during the
day... but will once again increase tonight and on Christmas
day. Winds of up to 25 mph will be possible tonight...
resulting in blowing and drifting snow and limited visibility
of less than a quarter mile at times.

* Road conditions will continue to deteriorate during the day.
There may be somewhat of a let up in the snow from midday into
early evening... but the next round of heavy snow will move
back in tonight... and continue into Christmas day.

Precautionary/preparedness actions...

A Winter Storm Warning for heavy snow and blowing snow means the
combination of strong winds and falling and blowing snow will
cause dangerously low visibility and drifting snow. Snow covered
roads... and dangerous travel conditions can be expected. If you
must travel... use extreme caution and allow extra time to reach
your destination. Be aware that you may become stranded and that
it could take many hours for help to arrive. Keep a winter
survival kit in your vehicle... including a flashlight... food...
and water. Let someone know your travel Route and expected
arrival time and have a working cell phone in case you become
stranded.

It should also be emphasized this storm will affect a very large
part of the central United States... including Minnesota... much of
the Dakotas... Iowa and Wisconsin. Anyone with Holiday travel
plans across the region is urged to stay current with the latest
weather information regarding this developing storm.

The totals below are separated into snow by amount... and are not
necessarily the final amount for each location. These reports are
from National Weather Service snow spotters. Thank you for your
reports.


Snow reports listed by amount

inches location St County time
------ ----------------------- -- -------------- -------
5.50 3 W Washburn WI Bayfield 0800 am
5.20 Duluth MN St. Louis 0800 am
4.50 Maple WI Douglas 0800 am
4.50 Hayward WI Sawyer 0800 am
4.50 3 NE Nisswa MN Crow Wing 0800 am
4.20 Duluth MN St. Louis 0606 am
4.00 Moose Lake MN Carlton 0744 am
4.00 5 SW Brainerd MN Crow Wing 0744 am
4.00 3 N Pine Center MN Crow Wing 0723 am
3.50 Hayward WI Sawyer 0748 am
3.50 Ashland WI Ashland 0744 am
3.50 7 se Superior WI Douglas 0710 am
3.00 Cloverland WI Douglas 0800 am
3.00 5 S Herbster WI Bayfield 0648 am
                 still snowing
3.00 4 N Grantsburg WI Burnett 0605 am
2.50 Pence WI Iron 0723 am
                 snow depth 15 inches
2.50 Gile WI Iron 0525 am
2.40 12 N Isle MN Aitkin 0800 am
2.30 3 N Brainerd MN Crow Wing 0606 am
2.00 Glidden WI Ashland 0800 am
1.60 Sarona WI Washburn 0637 am
                 in the previous 8 hours
1.50 Silver Bay MN lake 0728 am