Spring storm brings heavy snow to southern Minnesota
Updated: 8:45 p.m.
Heavy snow caused treacherous driving conditions for those who had to travel in southern Minnesota on Sunday.
The National Weather Service reported snow totals nearing a foot in parts of the region as of Sunday night, with snow continuing to fall in some areas amid northwest winds gusting in excess of 35 mph at times.
A weather spotter in Elgin, Minn., reported 10.8 inches of snow as of Sunday night, with 10 inches at Wabasha and 9.7 inches at Oronoco. Find more totals here.
The Minnesota Department of Transportation reported many spinouts and crashes in southern parts of the state on Sunday afternoon — especially Interstate 35 south of the Twin Cities, I-90 between Albert Lea and Rochester, and U.S. Highway 52 between Rochester and the Twin Cities. Traffic was lighter than usual because of the holiday and Gov. Tim Walz’s stay-at-home order amid the coronavirus pandemic.
Create a More Connected Minnesota
MPR News is your trusted resource for the news you need. With your support, MPR News brings accessible, courageous journalism and authentic conversation to everyone - free of paywalls and barriers. Your gift makes a difference.
Winter storm warnings remain in effect through early Monday from Worthington and Albert Lea north and east toward Mankato, Rochester and the southeast Twin Cities metro area.
Just to the north, including Minneapolis and St. Paul, a winter weather advisory is in effect through early Monday for snow totals of 3 to 6 inches.
The snow that's falling is of the wet, heavy variety — which may combine with the wind to down trees and power lines. It also makes for more difficult shoveling and snowblowing.
Northern Minnesota will largely escape Sunday's snow. A cool week is in the forecast, with highs forecast to stay in the 30s for several days.