Difficult Travel Remains in Wake of Minnesota Blizzard, Snow Totals Reported

Rochester, MN (KROC-AM News)- Many Minnesotans are digging out from a blizzard that brought heavy snow in some locations and created difficult travel conditions across the state. 

See Also: Driver Arrested for Hwy. 52 Crash That Sent Teen to the Hospital 

A Blizzard Warning issued for Rochester was allowed to expire early. Rochester is included in a Winter Weather Advisory that was allowed to expire at noon on Monday.

Strong wind gusts are expected to continue causing blowing and drifting snow that will reduce visibility across southeast Minnesota Monday. 

The gusts, predicted to be as high as 40 mph, will be accompanied by bitter cold air, with wind chills as cold as -15, the National Weather Service says. 

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State Patrol Responds to Hundreds of Crashes During Dec. 28 Blizzard in Minnesota

Interstate 35 between Albert Lea and the Minnesota-Iowa border was closed Monday morning. Officials have since allowed the interstate to reopen. 

From midnight Sunday through 7:00 Monday morning, the State Patrol responded to 418 property damage crashes across the state. 33 of those crashes involved an injury. 

The State Patrol Public Information Officer says troopers also responded to 458 vehicles off the road and 32 jack-knifed semis during that time span. No fatalities have been reported. 

Mankato & Twin Cities Areas See Highest Snowfall Reports

Preliminary reports collected by the National Weather Service indicate the highest snow totals were reported in the Mankato and Twin Cities areas. 

9 inches of snow was reported in Mankato and 7.5 inches fell in Burnsville. The total measured at the Minneapolis St. Paul Airport as of midnight Monday was 5.8 inches. 

A preliminary report measured 6.5 inches in northwest Rochester. The official snow total posted at the Rochester Airport was 5.7 inches. 

Story updated to include I-35 reopening and official snow measurements.