UPDATE: Northfield Schools Closed on Thursday

UPDATE, 9:55 A.M.: Although the National Weather Service says six inches of snow had fallen in Northfield as of Thursday morning, several city residents are reporting much higher amounts.

Figures approaching a foot of snow have been reported on Facebook.

According to the most recent statistics available on the weather service website, 6.0 inches of snow was reported to have fallen in Northfield at 5:44 a.m. Thursday.

At 8:30 a.m., a spotter in Nerstrand reported that 12.5 inches of snow fell there. Four inches of snow was reported in Faribault at 7 a.m.

One of the most impressive figures, though, came from Ellendale in Steele County, where 15 inches had been reported at 8 a.m.

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ORIGINAL STORY (5:40 A.M.): Northfield schools are closed Thursday, May 2, because of heavy snow in the area.

Northfield Public Schools alerted residents via automated telephone messages and email at about 5:20 a.m. Thursday that classes were called off for the day.

Here is the text of the email:

The Northfield Public Schools will be closed today, Thursday, May 2nd, 2013 because of the winter storm. All classes and activities are cancelled. You can learn more about school closings at: http://nfld.k12.mn.us/alerts/

Schools also were closed Thursday in Cannon Falls, Faribault, Goodhue, Hastings, Kenyon-Wanamingo, Medford, Owatonna, Randolph, Red Wing and Zumbrota-Mazeppa, among others, according to the KARE11 website.

Approximately five inches of wet, heavy snow had fallen in downtown Northfield between late Wednesday afternoon and approximately 5:30 a.m. Thursday.

In downtown Northfield, the scene was one that could have graced the cover of holiday cards, as snow stuck to everything in sight. It was a view similar to the April 22-23 snowstorm, which led to Northfield schools being closed on April 23.

The sounds of snow-removal equipment could be heard in the vicinity of downtown before daybreak.

The National Weather Service is calling for another two to four inches of snow to fall on Thursday, primarily before 9 a.m.

Here is the forecast from the weather service:

TODAY: Snow, mainly before 9am. High near 37. North wind 10 to 15 mph. Chance of precipitation is 80%. Total daytime snow accumulation of 2 to 4 inches possible.

TONIGHT: A 50 percent chance of snow, mainly after 10pm. Cloudy, with a low around 30. North wind around 10 mph. New snow accumulation of less than a half inch possible.

FRIDAY: Snow likely before 1pm, then rain and snow between 1pm and 4pm, then rain after 4pm. High near 39. North wind 10 to 15 mph. Chance of precipitation is 80%. New snow accumulation of less than a half inch possible.

FRIDAY NIGHT: Rain. Steady temperature around 37. North northeast wind 10 to 15 mph. Chance of precipitation is 80%. New precipitation amounts between a quarter and half of an inch possible.

Click here for the latest weather service forecast.