Blizzard Conditions Close Southern Minnesota Highways
MINNEAPOLIS (WCCO) -- The snow that fell on Minnesota Thursday is being whipped up by strong winds, creating blizzard-like conditions in many parts of the state.
Due to low visibility, the Department of Transportation is advising no travel in much of southern Minnesota. MnDOT said state highways in Brown, Cottonwood, Jackson, Martin, Nobles, and Watonwan counties were closed this afternoon to travel. Interstate 90, however, remains open as of Thursday night.
The terrible road conditions resulted in hundreds of crashes. Officials say that from 8 a.m. to 8:30 p.m., 654 crashes happened on Minnesota roads, including 429 spinouts and 11 jackknifed semi. Some 87 people suffered injuries, but none were killed or seriously hurt.
The State Patrol also reported that three of its troopers had been involved in crashes. Two of them suffered no injuries, and the other was able to drive to the hospital.
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Several schools across the state canceled classes ahead of the treacherous weather.
The National Weather Service says blizzard warnings are in effect for many counties in northwestern and southern Minnesota. The warnings say that wind gusts of up to 50 mph will kick up snow, causing whiteout conditions on Minnesota roads. The warnings for southern Minnesota will stay in effect until Friday morning.
On the heels of these blizzard conditions will come another deep freeze. While temperatures will not be as frigid as they were Wednesday, when the state's largest school districts called off class due to the extreme cold, they won't be too far off.
Yet, winter relief is in the forecast. By early next week, the highs look to be in the 20s.
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