Poor driving conditions in southern and western Minnesota

Icy conditions and blowing snow continued to cause problems on some outstate Minnesota roads on Monday, a few days after the holiday blizzard.

The drifting snow has created scattered icy patches along Interstate 35 and I-90, causing several rollover accidents.

The Minnesota Department of Transportation closed a 20-mile stretch of Highway 12 in Ortonville for several hours on Monday afternoon, after several cars skidded off the road.

The closure, from Highway 75 to Highway 59, allowed officials to safely remove the vehicles and clear the area. No serious injuries were reported, and the road was reopened by 4 p.m.

MnDOT has also advised motorists to avoid unnecessary travel in Cottonwood, Jackson, Nobles and Rock counties in southwestern Minnesota, due to poor driving conditions.

Officials have also urged motorists to use "extreme caution" on highways in Big Stone and Swift counties, as blowing snow has caused black ice and difficult driving conditions.

High winds are forecast until Monday evening, and officials said road conditions will most likely not improve until the winds subside.

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