Photos: The first real snowstorm of the year blasts southern Minnesota

Michelle Armstrong shovels her parents' driveway in North Mankato.
Michelle Armstrong shovels her parents' driveway in North Mankato during a winter storm on Monday.
Pat Christman | The Free Press via AP

That snow you've been wishing for? It hit southern Minnesota Monday with a wallop. In the metro area, snow fell at a rate of 2 to 3 inches an hour, making driving conditions tough, with winds gusting to 28 mph.

The Minneapolis-St. Paul International Airport recorded 12.4 inches of snow by midnight. Chanhassen had 11 inches. Eau Claire, Wis., saw 7. Northern Owatonna reported 17 inches of snow around 6 p.m. before the storm had ended.

The Minnesota Department of Transportation is advising against traveling in parts of southwest Minnesota because of whiteout conditions.

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