Officials advise no unnecessary travel in parts of Minnesota

With forecasts for blowing snow and windchills down to 40 below zero, the Minnesota Department of Transportation in Mankato is asking drivers to avoid unnecessary travel overnight in the south-central and southwest part of the state.

"We've got three to five inches of fresh, fluffy snow that is going to go sideways at 30 to 40 miles per hour," said Rebecca Arndt, spokesperson for MnDOT's District 7 office. "And in darkness, the visibility is going to be a big factor. You could end up off the road, trouble with your car, and then you've got that extreme cold, which makes it dangerous."

She encourages travelers who do decide to drive to make sure they have a full tank of gas and a winter travel kit, including warm clothes.

The National Weather Service has issued a wind chill advisory for the state until Wednesday at 10 a.m.