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Time for Kids
December 13, 2010 

A Winter Storm in Autumn

A powerful snowstorm swept through the Midwest over the weekend

By Kelli Plasket

Winter came early this weekend for Americans in the upper Midwestwho were hit with a powerful mix of snow and high winds. The storm has so far caused at least 11 weather-related deaths and canceled more than 1,600 flights in Chicago, Illinois. Parts of Minnesota and Wisconsin were buried under nearly two feet of snow, and the roof of the Metrodome, the Minnesota Vikings' stadium, collapsed from the snow's weight.

ANN HEISENFELT—AP

The Metrodome's inflatable roof is collapsed and torn after a storm dumped 17 inches of snow on Minneapolis over the weekend. No one was hurt from the collapse.

The weather is what the region would normally experience in January, not December, according to Jim Taggard, a meteorologist for the National Weather Service. In Minnesota on Saturday, the Twin Cities had their snowiest December day on record.

Under Pressure

As the storm made its way through eight states over the weekend, several major highways closed due to accidents and road conditions. The weather forced the cancellation of at least 1,375 weekend flights at Chicago-O'Hare International Airport and more than 300 at Chicago's Midway International Airport.

The inflatable Metrodome roof collapsed Sunday after the storm dumped 17 inches of snow on Minneapolis. This caused a major rip, dumping mounds of snow onto the field. A Vikings' football game scheduled for Sunday at the Metrodome had already been pushed to Monday when the visiting team, the New York Giants, were stranded in Kansas City, Missouri, on Saturday night due to canceled flights. Monday's game has been moved to Ford Field in Detroit, Michigan. Officials aren't sure when the Metrodome will reopen.

Cold Continues

TOM DAHLIN—GETTY IMAGES

A Minneapolis resident shovels his driveway as bitter cold temperatures continue after the powerful storm.

The storm continues northeast on Monday toward Canada. Michigan and northern Indiana through parts of Pennsylvania and New York may experience some snow. A jet stream following the storm is expected to stretch as low as Florida, blanketing the East with cold temperatures and potentially bringing record colds Monday night to parts of the Sunshine State.

Meanwhile, the storm left behind dangerously cold temperatures in the Midwest, with wind chills well below zero. These conditions could slow down snow-clearing efforts on the roads. More flight delays and cancellations are also expected Monday at major airports in the East.


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