No-travel advisories issued as another winter storm sweeps across Minnesota
Updated: 8:45 p.m.
Authorities issued a no-travel advisory for parts of southwest Minnesota on Tuesday, as a winter storm continued to bring a wintry mix of precipitation to the southern two-thirds of the state.
The National Weather Service reported thundersnow and thundersleet at Albert Lea and Waseca. Authorities were responding to numerous crashes and spinouts across southern Minnesota.
A no-travel advisory from the Minnesota Department of Transportation remained in effect for six counties — Lincoln, Lyon, Murray, Redwood, Pipestone, and Yellow Medicine — Tuesday afternoon “due to heavy snow with strong winds causing reduced visibility.” The advisory was lifted for Nobles, Rock, Cottonwood, Jackson, Brown, Watonwan and Martin counties.
“Although no road closures are planned at this time, MnDOT offices are prepared for interstate and highway closures if necessary,” the agency reported.
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Some counties — including Nobles and Cottonwood — pulled their plows off the road Tuesday morning due to poor visibility.
Road conditions continue to worsen in southwest Minnesota due to low visibility and high snow accumulations as the region is hit with a winter storm.
Roadways and parts of the state highways are covered in compacted snow, making travel dangerous and difficult for snow plows.
Scott Morgan, an assistant district engineer for MnDOT, said that all of his district's 83 snow plows were out on the roads, but snowfall stopped vehicles and blocked plowing in some places.
“There's some places out farther west where vehicles did get stuck on the roads, and they're trying to get those cleared out and opened up. That's part of the reason I would suggest people stay home because if there's vehicles out there on the roads that are stuck, you can't get any place,” Morgan said.
To the west, authorities in South Dakota closed some highways Tuesday. Interstate 90 was closed in both directions between Sioux Falls and Chamberlain, and Interstate 29 was closed between Sioux Falls and Brookings.
The South Dakota Department of Transportation reported Tuesday morning that its plows “are having difficulty clearing roads due to near-zero visibility and accumulating snow, with some plows becoming stuck with the high accumulation of snow on the lanes of traffic.”
The sheriff’s office in Minnehaha County, which includes Sioux Falls, said it responded to reports of stranded drivers Tuesday morning.
The National Weather Service said snowfall rates of 1 to 2 inches an hour were possible as the snow moved from southwest Minnesota toward central Minnesota — including the Twin Cities. There also were reports of freezing rain.
Snow totals from that first wave of precipitation included 6.4 inches at Waconia, 5.6 inches at Hutchinson, 5.2 inches at Hopkins, 4.7 inches in Eagan and 4 inches at Woodbury, Lakeville and Elko New Market. Parts of southeast South Dakota saw more than 20 inches.
As the first wave of snow moved out Tuesday afternoon, a lull was expected in the evening before snow redeveloped.
A second, prolonged period of light but steady snow is expected Tuesday night into Wednesday.
By the time that’s done late Wednesday, snow totals may exceed a foot in parts of southwest Minnesota, and reach 5 to 10 inches in the Twin Cities.
Power outage concerns
The combination of heavy snow, freezing rain and gusty winds brought concerns about possible power outages in southern Minnesota.
As of 11 a.m., Xcel Energy was reporting about 900 homes and businesses without power in its Minnesota service area — with most of those due to an outage affecting areas north of Rochester. That outage was repaired.
There were no reports of widespread power outages as of mid-afternoon Tuesday.
School closings
Universities and colleges in southwest Minnesota canceled classes and in-person activities on Tuesday afternoon.
Southwest Minnesota State University in Marshall canceled classes and closed its campus.
Minnesota West Community and Technical College campuses in Granite Falls and Canby closed at noon. The school had a delayed start on Tuesday morning.
Minnesota State University, Mankato and the university's Edina location cancelled in-person activities on campus because of dangerous winter storm conditions.
Only weather-essential employees on the Mankato campus were reporting to work, while others were working remotely.
Dozens of southern and central Minnesota school districts canceled or delayed the start of classes Tuesday. For some, a winter holiday break that started early due to snow days in December is now extended a day due to this latest storm.
Districts that were closed Tuesday include Worthington, Mankato, Rochester, Faribault, Prior Lake-Savage, Farmington, New Ulm and St. Cloud. Hutchinson, Willmar and Marshall were among districts moving to an online learning day.
Check with your local district for updates Tuesday.
Flights canceled
The storm system bringing wintry weather to Minnesota was affecting much of the rest of the country, too — including severe storms in parts of the southern U.S.
Minneapolis-St. Paul International Airport reported more than 160 canceled flights as of 3 p.m. Tuesday — that's both arrivals and departures.
To the west in South Dakota, Sioux Falls Regional Airport was closed Tuesday due to the winter weather. Officials there said they plan to reopen Wednesday morning.
Links for more information
Here’s how to keep tabs on forecasts, travel conditions and flight updates over the next few days.
Forecast updates
MPR News: Live weather blog and real-time radar
National Weather Service: Snowfall reports
Travel conditions
These state transportation departments offer live updates on road conditions and crashes:
For bus and light rail riders in the Twin Cities, Metro Transit offers weather-related updates on its Metro Transit and Metro Transit Alerts Twitter pages, as well as on its website.
Flight updates
If you’re planning to fly from Minneapolis-St. Paul International Airport or another airport around the region — or if you are expecting visitors to arrive by plane — airports offer flight status updates online:
Trail conditions
While a winter storm can cause trouble for travelers, it can be welcome news for skiers, snowmobilers and other winter activity enthusiasts.
The Minnesota Department of Natural Resources offers updates on cross-country ski and snowmobile trail conditions at state parks and along state trails around Minnesota.
The Minnesota Ski Areas Association posts updates on snow conditions at downhill ski and snowboard areas around the state.
The Loppet Foundation posts updates on cross-country ski trail conditions in Minneapolis.
SkinnySki.com shares cross-country ski trail updates from across the state.