Leading edge of cold front hits southwestern Minn.

Snowy roads
The National Weather Service forecast for Minnesota calls for snow flurries and breezy conditions during the day Friday followed by nighttime lows of 10 below to 20 below zero.
MPR Photo/Ambar Espinoza

The cold front that's forecast to drive down the mercury throughout Minnesota Friday night has hit the southwestern part of the state.

Strong winds have kicked up and officials have closed sections of Highways 19 and 71 near Redwood Falls due to white-out conditions brought on by blowing snow.

The Minnesota Department of Transportation says it has pulled its plows off the roads due to the hazardous conditions.

The Redwood County Sheriff's Department reports that several vehicles and at least seven tractor-trailers are in the ditches near Belview, Delhi and Vesta.

The National Weather Service forecast for Minnesota calls for snow flurries and breezy conditions during the day Friday followed by nighttime lows of 10 below to 20 below zero.

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(Copyright 2009 by The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.)

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