Snow And Cold Temperatures Move Into Upper Midwest

Some school districts in Minnesota and South Dakota have canceled classes today, and slick roads have greeted morning commuters in parts of Wisconsin, as residents of the Upper Midwest brace for heavy snow and plunging temperatures.

A powerful storm that's moving into the region from Alaska is threatening to drop a foot or more of snow in some areas, while dropping thermometer readings as much as 40 degrees.

The normal high in Great Falls, Montana is about 43 degrees this time of year, but readings could be in the single digits early this week and stay below freezing into the weekend.

Residents in Minnesota should prepare for between 8 inches and 12 inches of snow, while Chicago also is expecting earlier-than-usual wintry weather. A forecaster says the highs in Chicago are expected to settle into the 30s from tomorrow through Friday, while nightly lows could drop into the teens.

The wintry weather could bring flight delays over the next few days.