Winter Storm Walda Slows Commute, Could Dump More than Six Inches by Evening

Lakevillle and the rest of the metro area woke up to a 1-inch coating of thick snow, ice and slush Thursday morning, but Winter Storm Walda is expected to dump six to eight inches more snow on the metro throughout the day.

The storm was enough to close or delay some schools in southwestern Minnesota—though none in Lakeville, as of 6:30 a.m.—and snarl the Thursday morning commute.

Traffic is heavy throughout the metro, with snow and ice on the roads and crashes on Highway 77 and 35E.

Forecasters are predicting that the heaviest blow will fall throughout the morning—up to three inches are expected by 11:30 a.m.—with light snow, rain and freezing rain expected throughout the afternoon. Local meteorologist Paul Douglas wrote on Wednesday that near-blizzard conditions may seize the state today, and that the heavy snow and ice may bring down trees and power lines.

The National Weather Service's winter storm warning remains in effect until 7 p.m. Thursday.