Fierce Midwest Snowstorm Stalls Air Travel, Minnesota Electors

Snow and bitter cold blew across the Midwest on Monday, closing schools, delaying flights and disrupting the electoral college vote in Minnesota. A chill also settled over the hard-hit South.

As much as 17 inches of snow were forecast for parts of Wisconsin by today, with lighter amounts expected in Minnesota, Illinois and Indiana.

The storm was a nightmare for travelers. Nearly one-fourth of flights at Mitchell International Airport in Milwaukee were canceled or delayed and more than 100 Northwest flights were delayed in and out of Minneapolis-St. Paul.

Bad weather also delayed three electoral college members from getting to the Minnesota Capitol in St. Paul. They arrived in time to vote.

Schools, businesses and even snowplow service all but came to a halt in Nebraska as the state was swept by its fourth storm in a week.

In Arkansas, Gov. Mike Huckabee declared disaster areas in 41 counties nearly a week after what officials said was the worst ice storm in state history. About 40,000 homes were still without power Monday.

In Alabama, freezing rain, snow and a second day of cold closed dozens of schools and sent homeless people to shelters.

At least 28 of Tennessee’s 95 counties closed schools Monday and bitter cold was forecast again today. Georgia also was preparing for more frigid temperatures and wind.

Thousands of homes and businesses were still without power in the Northeast on Monday after a cold front ushered out record warmth.

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2000 AMONG WARM YEARS

The average U.S. temperature in 2000 is projected to be 54 degrees, well above normal. A37