Bitter Cold and Blowing Snow Making Travel a Hassle

Rochester, MN (KROC-AM News) - Travel conditions remain challenging across southeastern Minnesota.

Snow and blowing snow prompted at least a dozen area school districts to cancel classes or delay the start of the school day this morning. The Minnesota Department of Transportation continues to rate road conditions throughout southeastern Minnesota as snow and ice covered. Throughout the morning, the State Patrol has been responding to numerous reports of traffic crashes and vehicle sspin-outs due to the slick conditions.

The latest snowfall reports show 3.3 inches has fallen at the Rochester Airport, while other areas in and near the city have 4 or more inches of new accumulation since yesterday. There are reports of around 5 inches of new snow in Houston County, while the highest totals are found in Winona County at around 7 inches.

Some addition accumulations are possible today in southeastern Minnesota, but most of the travel challenges will be from blowing and drifting snow. A wind chill advisory remains in effect until Noon on Tuesday with the forecast calling for northwest winds gusting as high as 30 miles per hour.