No travel advisories issued across southern MN
MINNEAPOLIS (FOX 9) - The Sunday after Christmas will be a difficult travel day in Minnesota and Wisconsin, with winter storm and blizzard warnings in place. A livestream of the latest forecast and conditions can be viewed above.
This story will be updated with the latest weather information throughout the day on Sunday.
MN weather 8 p.m. update: Sunday's winter storm
FOX 9 Meteorologist Sean Macaday has the latest on a winter storm across much of Minnesota. After heavy snow, we have blizzard-like conditions Sunday night into Monday morning, and bitter cold to start the week.
READ MORE: LIVE WEATHER UPDATES: Blizzard, winter storm warnings in place across Minnesota
6:30 p.m. Blizzard conditions Sunday night
Snowfall started across Minnesota Sunday morning, and before lunchtime, we were getting wet, heavy snow across the Twin Cities and southern parts of the state. Travel conditions are difficult, and not advised in southern Minnesota until Monday morning. Interstate 35 is closed near Owatonna, extending into Iowa, until Monday.
FOX 9 Meteorologist Sean Macaday says conditions will continue to worsen in south/central Minnesota, as a developing band of snow will procure blizzard conditions into Sunday night. Snowfall reports are coming in slow with the wind making it a challenge. Most Twin Cities communities can expect another 2-4" on top of what has fallen.
Expect a brief uptick in snow around 8-10 pm in the twin cities. Snow stops around midnight, and conditions remain hazardous through Monday morning.
Minnesota road conditions
Live updates:
5:30 p.m.
Governor Walz has directed the Minnesota National Guard to respond to Freeborn County to help local officials with the winter storm response. According to the state, the Freeborn County Sheriff's Office has requested help dealing with stranded motorists during the winter weather.
3:00 p.m.
The no travel advisory in south central Minnesota has been continued into the overnight hours, the Minnesota Department of Transportation announced.
The no travel advisory will last through the night and roads will be re-evaluated in the morning hours, officials say. The advisory now covers state highways and I-90 in 13 counties including:
- Blue Earth
- Brown
- Cottonwood
- Faribault
- Jackson
- Le Sueur
- Martin
- Nicollet
- Nobles
- Rock
- Sibley
- Waseca
- Watonwan
2:45 p.m.: Interstate 35 closed from Owatonna to Iowa
The National Weather Service said Interstate 35 has been closed from Highway 14, near Owatonna, to Clarks Grove due to several crashes in the area. Starting at 4 p.m., I-35 will be closed from Albert Lea to northern Iowa.
I-35 is also closed in north Iowa between Clear Lake and Ames.
2:45 p.m.
The Minnesota State Patrol released the total number of crashes related to Sunday's winter storm.
From midnight to 1:30 p.m. on Sunday, Dec. 28, there were a total of:
- 179 property damage crashes
- 12 injury crashes
- Five spinouts
- 163 vehicles off the road
- Seven jackknifed semis.
1:45 p.m.
Southeast Minnesota is now under a no-travel advisory, meaning that deteriorating driving conditions have made travel dangerous.
Tow truck responses are also not advised until conditions improve.
No travel is advised in the following counties:
- Dodge
- Fillmore
- Freeborn
- Goodhue
- Houston
- Mower
- Olmsetd
- Rice
- Steele
- Wabasha
- Winona
The no-travel advisory also includes all counties from the Iowa border north to Highway 19 and from the Mississippi River west to I-35.
11:50 a.m.
The Minnesota Department of Transportation advises no travel on state highways in the following Minnesota counties:
- Lincoln
- Lyon
- Murray
- Redwood
- Pipestone
- Yellow Medicine
Officials say heavy snowfall and strong winds are creating limited visibility.
10:40 a.m.
MnDOT has issued a NO TRAVEL ADVISORY for all state highways and Interstate 90 in South Central Minnesota until conditions improve. Strong winds and blowing snow are creating blizzard and whiteout conditions. Postpone all travel until conditions improve.
9:35 a.m.
Photo shows a road condition map from MnDOT's 511 site. (Supplied)
Most of the roads and highways in southern Minnesota are already covered, with some spots reporting reduced visibility.
Areas of the western Twin Cities metro are partially covered.
The weather conditions will continue to move east throughout the morning.
For the latest Minnesota road condition updates, click here.
For the most recent weather alerts, click here.
The Source: This story uses information from the FOX 9 weather forecast, the National Weather Service and the MnDOT 511 map.