I-35 to close in southern MN, Iowa due to snowstorm

ALBERT LEA, Minn. (FOX 9) - Interstate 35 is set to close in Iowa later on Sunday as the state deals with blizzard conditions from the snowstorm.

I-35 to close

What we know:

The Minnesota Department of Transportation announced it will shut down southbound lanes along I-35 at Albert Lea by 3 p.m. on Sunday to accommodate the Iowa closure.

In Minnesota, southbound lanes will close from Albert Lea to the Iowa border. The closure could begin as soon as noon.

What we don't know:

Right now, all the information we have about the Iowa closure has come from MnDOT. It's unclear how long the closure will last and how much of the highway might close.

MnDOT says the closure at Albert Lea will remain as long as the Iowa closure continues.

I-35 in Iowa to close on Sunday due to blizzard

I-35 will close on Sunday due to blizzard conditions in Iowa, the Minnesota Department of Transportation tells FOX 9. We're told the closure will begin sometime before 3 p.m., and it's unclear how long it may last.

Winter storm impacts travel

Big picture view:

The snowstorm has caused widespread travel impacts in Minnesota and Iowa. There is an 11-county no-travel advisory across MnDOT's District 6 in southeast Minnesota due to the storm, including: Dodge, Fillmore, Freeborn, Goodhue, Houston, Mower, Olmsted, Rice, Steele, Wabasha, and Winona.

MnDOT says: "Snowplows are having difficulty in current conditions but will remain on the roads at this time. Current rates of snow are covering roads faster than snowplows can clear a driving lane."

What they're saying:

Anne Meyer with MnDOT says it's possible the I-35 closure could expand further north into Minnesota, saying the state will continue to monitor conditions as the storm develops.