**Severe Winter Storm Slams Minnesota, Causes Hazardous Road Conditions**
Key Takeaways:
- Significant snowfall and strong winds created white-out conditions across southern Minnesota.
- Numerous crashes, spinouts, and jackknifed semis have been reported, with several major roads closed.
- No travel is advised in large parts of southwestern Minnesota, including closures on US 71 and I-35.
MINNEAPOLIS, Minnesota — The trending topic “road conditions MN” has spiked as Minnesota grapples with the aftermath of a major winter storm, which dumped 5 to 7 inches of snow across the state on Sunday. Treacherous travel conditions on Monday morning have caused dozens of crashes and led to travel advisories, road closures, and emergency responses across the region.
Blizzard-Like Conditions Hammer Minnesota’s Roads
According to the Minnesota State Patrol, between midnight and 5:30 a.m. on Monday, there were 25 property damage crashes, one injury crash, five vehicle spinouts, and five jackknifed semis. White-out conditions are being reported across southwestern Minnesota, especially in rural areas such as the stretch of US Highway 71 between Sanborn and Redwood Falls, which has been closed due to severe drifting snow.
Interstate 35 was also shut down in far southern Minnesota as blowing and drifting snow made travel nearly impossible. A jackknifed semi-truck was cleared from Interstate 94 near Albertville, but road crews are struggling to keep up with worsening conditions. The Minnesota Department of Transportation has urged all drivers to slow down and avoid any non-essential travel.
Storm Timeline and Emergency Measures
The current travel crisis stems from a winter storm system that began on Sunday, December 28, dumping significant snowfall across the Midwest. Accompanied by 30-40 mph winds, the snow has reduced visibility and resulted in white-out conditions through much of southern Minnesota. The situation remained particularly dangerous through the morning commute on Monday, December 29.
Blizzard warnings remain in effect for the southern portion of the state, while a winter weather advisory covered the Twin Cities metro until 9 a.m. Monday. Governor Tim Walz even activated the Minnesota National Guard to assist with storm response as power outages, blocked roads, and stranded motorists strained local resources. Snow emergencies have been declared in multiple cities, including Minneapolis.
What Residents and Commuters Can Expect Moving Forward
Road conditions are expected to slowly improve as highway crews work around the clock to clear roads, but lingering wind gusts continue to make plowing challenging. The biggest concerns remain in rural and open areas where drifting can rapidly re-cover freshly plowed roads. Transportation officials caution that conditions may remain hazardous through Tuesday.
Further snowfall is not currently forecast for the coming days, but freezing temperatures could maintain icy patches on roadways. Commuters are advised to monitor live road conditions via the MN 511 platform and stay updated on weather alerts.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: Why is road conditions MN trending?
A: A powerful winter storm impacted Minnesota on December 28–29, causing extreme road hazards, crashes, and travel bans.
Q: What happens next?
A: Temperatures will remain low, but with no new snow predicted. Road crews continue efforts to restore normal conditions. Stay tuned for any updated travel advisories.
#MinnesotaWeather
