Minnesota weather: Winter Weather Advisory extends to Twin Cities

MINNEAPOLIS (FOX 9) - Light snow and increasing winds Wednesday could make travel difficult across southwestern Minnesota Wednesday afternoon and evening. This has prompted dozens of schools to close early Wednesday.

This story is no longer being updated live. 

9:30 p.m. - Statewide crash numbers released

By the numbers:

The Minnesota State Patrol said that between midnight and 9 p.m. on Jan. 21, there were 245 property damage crashes, 35 injury crashes, 6 spinouts, 167 vehicles off the road, and nine jackknifed semis. 

4 p.m. - Twin Cities under Winter Weather Advisory

What we know:

The National Weather Service expanded the Winter Weather Advisory to include the Twin Cities metro, and parts of Interstate 35 and Interstate 94. The showery nature of the snow showers are causing brief reductions in visibility and slippery road conditions.

Blizzard warning for southwestern Minnesota

Local perspective:

A blizzard warning has been issued for portions of southwestern Minnesota starting Wednesday afternoon. Visibility could be reduced to near zero at times. Find the latest weather alerts here. 

Dozens of school districts are closing early Wednesday due to winter weather. Here's a list.

What's next:

After Wednesday's snowy weather, it will turn frigid, with subzero temperatures and dangerous windchill from Thursday night into Saturday. An extreme cold warning is in effect from 5 p.m. Thursday through 11 a.m. Friday for much of Minnesota.

Find live updates on weather conditions below.

1 p.m. - Reduced visibility in far SW MN

MnDOT is reported reduced visibility and snow covered roads in far southwestern Minnesota, including communities such as Luverne, Rushmore and Ellsworth. 

You can check current road conditions here. 

12:45 p.m. - Rollovers reported

State troopers in west-central Minnesota have responded to "a number" of rollover crashes, spinouts and jackknifed semi-trucks on slippery roads. 

12:30 p.m. - Travel impacts expected, MnDOT warns

MnDOT is warning motorists in south-central and a portion of southwestern Minnesota that a forecast blizzard with light snow and strong winds will "significantly reduce visibility and make travel hazardous" Wednesday afternoon and night. 

MnDOT is warning that road closures or no travel advisories are possible as the storm moves into the region. 

You can check current road conditions here. 

Wednesday’s forecast in Minnesota 

What to expect:

Wednesday stays mostly cloudy across Minnesota, with periods of light snow possible during the morning and afternoon. Temperatures warm into the low 20s, topping out near 22 degrees in the Twin Cities metro area.

The afternoon will see winds picking up from the northwest, with gusts potentially reaching the mid-40s in the western part of the state. This could cause the loose, fluffy snow to blow onto roadways, creating slick conditions. 

A winter weather advisory is in effect for western and southwestern Minnesota until 6 p.m. due to the windy conditions and light snow.

Overnight, passing clouds linger with occasional flurries as temperatures fall into the single digits. 

Extended Minnesota weather forecast

What's next:

Arctic air starts moving in Thursday, with temperatures peaking near 8 degrees midday before falling through the afternoon under partly sunny skies. Overnight lows drop into the subzero teens. 

Friday turns frigid with a high of around 8 degrees below zero. Saturday remains bitterly cold with temperatures staying below zero. 

An extreme cold watch is in effect from Thursday evening through Saturday morning for portions of Minnesota and Wisconsin due to dangerously cold wind chills and subzero temperatures. 

Here's a look at the seven-day forecast:

Weather ForecastMinnesota