Updated 10 a.m.: Conditions ease in west central Minnesota; blizzard conditions continue in southwest Minnesota
Blizzard-like conditions blew through western Minnesota Sunday night into Monday morning, with southwest Minnesota experiencing the worst of the weather.
West central Minnesota was better off. But near whiteout conditions Sunday night and early Monday morning slowed traffic.
The National Weather Service in Chanhassen canceled the winter storm warning for the region and issued a winter weather advisory until noon Monday.
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“Wind gusts near 40 mph will produce blowing snow and whiteout conditions at times,” the National Weather Service said in an advisory for west central Minnesota.
Chippewa, Douglas, Kandiyohi, Lac Qui Parle, Meeker, Pope, Stevens, Swift and Yellow Medicine counties were listed under the advisory.
“Difficult travel (will continue) through the morning hours,” the advisory said.
Meanwhile, the Minnesota Department of Transportation’s District 8 headquarters in Willmar is advising against travel for motorists in southwest Minnesota’s Lincoln, Lyon, Murray and Pipestone counties. Those counties were issued a no travel advisory beginning at 9:20 a.m. Monday and a blizzard warning until 6 p.m. Monday.
“Visibility has been reduced to zero. White out conditions are present and roads are completely covered with blowing snow,” the department of transportation said in a news release. “If you must travel, MnDOT advises motorists to slow down, use their headlights and give plows room to work.”
Light snow through noon is expected throughout 34 counties.
As of 8:30 a.m., conditions were stabilizing, but drivers were still advised to use caution.
“Road conditions have improved in west central Minnesota but visibility is still quite limited,” Minnesota State Patrol Public Information Officer Jesse Grabow said via Twitter.
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Conditions ease in west central Minnesota; blizzard conditions continue in southwest Minnesota
Storm blows into southwest Minnesota