Schools in Fergus Falls and Browns Valley are closed and more than a dozen western Minnesota school districts are starting classes two hours late this morning as winter returns to the state.

Winter storm warnings are out for the central third of Minnesota, and snow advisories are out for areas north and south of that band.

Accumulations of six to nine inches are possible in the warning area, with two to six inches in the advisory areas.

The National Weather Service says the heaviest snow will occur in a band from around Alexandria and Morris, to St. Cloud, Little Falls, Mora, Center City and into western Wisconsin.

Areas affected by the snow advisories include Willmar, Litchfield, the Twin Cities and on to Eau Claire, Wisconsin to the south; as well as Detroit Lakes, Bemidji, Hibbing and Grand Marais (muh-RAY') in the north.