Authorities advise against travel as blizzard warnings continue.

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Authorities advised no travel across southern Minnesota on Sunday morning, as blizzard warnings remained in effect for the region through early Monday.

As of 8 a.m., the National Weather Service had 

 of 7 to 10 inches of snow from Waseca and Lonsdale north to the southern Twin Cities metro area, with snow still falling. There were reports of close to a foot near Rochester.

 to gradually taper off through the day Sunday, but increasingly gusty winds will cause blowing and drifting snow, and reduced visibilities.

As of 8 a.m. Sunday, there were no storm-related highway closures in Minnesota. But the Minnesota Department of Transportation 

 on highways from near Worthington, Pipestone and Marshall, east to Mankato, Blue Earth, Faribault, Owatonna, Rochester, Wabasha and Winona.

That included long stretches of Interstates 35 and 90.

“Blowing snow and strong winds are creating blizzard conditions and are making travel difficult,” officials with MnDOT’s District 7 in south-central Minnesota reported early Sunday. “Conditions are expected to remain difficult today until they gradually improve on Monday.”

“Although no road closures are planned at this time, MnDOT offices are prepared for interstate and highway closures if necessary,” the agency reported.

“Blue Earth County road crews are out today, but that doesn’t mean it’s safe to travel,” the Blue Earth County Sheriff’s Office in Mankato reported Sunday morning. 

MnDOT was reported snow-covered highways across the rest of the southern two-thirds of the state, including freeways in the Twin Cities metro area. Authorities were responding to a steady stream of crashes and spinouts as of 8 a.m.

 are in effect in Minneapolis, St. Paul and some other communities across the state.

The Minnesota State Patrol reported more than 250 crashes and spinouts across the state from midnight through 10 p.m. Saturday, as the snow started to fall.

To the west — South Dakota transportation officials 

 across much of the state late Saturday “due to the combination of heavy snow and sustained strong winds causing snow-covered roads, blocked bridges and underpasses, and greatly reduced visibilities.”

The closures as of Sunday morning included Interstate 29 between Sioux Falls and the North Dakota state line, and Interstate 90 between Sioux Falls and Wall.

Metro Transit buses and trains are operating in the Twin Cities amid the storm. 

As of early Sunday morning, Metro Transit reported about a quarter to half of bus routes were behind schedule, but only by an average of about 5 minutes. Officials said “significant delays” are expected through the day.

Metro Transit said Blue Line light rail trains were also experiencing some delays.

Find specific route information and delays here

A majority of scheduled flights at Minneapolis-St. Paul International Airport were canceled on Sunday.

, or encouraged travelers to change plans, ahead of the forecast blizzard conditions.

As of early Sunday, MSP’s website reported close to 700 canceled arrivals or departures. About 230 flights were still listed as running on time.

The airport said anyone with flights still scheduled for Sunday should check with their airline for updates. 

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 

service updates and advisories on its website

Is there is snow emergency in effect for St. Paul or Minneapolis? Find out on the 

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:

Weather and Climate News

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Minnesota March snow storm: Live weather updates

Andrew Krueger

Author

Authorities advised no travel across southern Minnesota on Sunday morning as blizzard warnings remained in effect for the region through early Monday.

A snowplow clears snow along a city street

Minnesota Department of Transportation

Plows clear snow from runways and tarmacs at an airport

Authorities advise no travel across southern Minnesota as blizzard warnings continue

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