Winter weather, travel advisories issued as snow moves into Minnesota
(KSTP-TV)
UPDATE: MnDOT has updated its listing of road closures and travel advisories.
Road Closures:
- Highway 212 from Highway 75 to Montevideo
- Highway 67 from Highway 75 to Clarkfield
- Highway 14 from Florence to Tracy
- Highway 30 from SD to Slayton
- Highway 19 Ivanhoe to Marshall
- Highway 23 Marshall to Granite Falls
No Travel Advisory:
- All state highways in Chippewa, Kandiyohi, Lac qui Parle, Lincoln, Lyon, Meeker, Murray, Pipestone, Redwood, Renville, and Yellow Medicine counties.
- McLeod County: Hwy 15 and all state highways west of Hwy 15
ORIGINAL STORY:
The National Weather Service (NWS) has issued a winter weather advisory that goes in effect Thursday at 1 p.m. and lasts through 7 a.m. Friday for central and eastern Minnesota and western Wisconsin.
5 EYEWITNESS NEWS Chief Meteorologist Ken Barlow said Minnesotans should prepare for a messy storm and more snow later on Thursday and into Friday.
Thursday morning will bring dropping temperatures and steady rain showers. Meteorologist Jonathan Yuhas says snow is expected to develop after 1 p.m. in the Twin Cities and continue into Thursday evening before tapering off.
The roads will be wet during the day but driving conditions worsen later in the afternoon as temperatures drop and snow sticks to the road. Yuhas says roads are expected to be slippery Thursday evening and Friday morning, with snow totals higher in the west side of the metro.
Yuhas also predicts about one to three inches of snow should be on the ground by 7 p.m.
Late Thursday morning, the Minnesota Department of Transportation (MnDOT) announced Highway 14 from Florence to Tracy in Lyon County has been closed due to travel conditions.
In addition, no travel has been advised on the following highway segments due to low visibility and snow drifts:
- All state highway sin Lyon, Pipestone and Murray counties
- Lincoln County: Highway 19 and all state highways south of Highway 19
- Redwood County: Highway 14 from Tracy to Sanborn Corner, Highway 19 south and west of Vesta and Highway 68 west of Wabasso
- Yellow Medicine County: Highway 68 from the state line to Porter, Highway 59 south of Clarkfield and Highway 23 south of Hanley Falls
Driving on closed roads is illegal, and can result in 90 days in jail, a $1,000 fine or both. Other penalties may be applied if drivers need to be rescued.
CLICK HERE for an interactive radar.
Some school districts in the area have been closed or delayed Thursday. A complete list of school closings and delays can be found here.
Barlow also said the wind will pick up throughout the day Thursday, with Minnesotans possibly seeing 40 mph gusts on Friday. CLICK HERE for a wind gust map.
Visit the Minneapolis-St. Paul Airport (MSP) website to check flight status. Weather updates for the MSP Airport from the NWS are available to view here.
Stay informed on every weather update by visiting the 5 EYEWITNESS NEWS weather page.