Travel Not Advised as Season’s 1st Winter Storm Hits SE Minnesota

Rochester, MN (KROC-AM News) - The first major winter storm of the season is impacting travel across southern Minnesota today.

A winter storm warning remains in effect for the southeastern corner of the state and across the southern tier of counties in Minnesota, along with the entire state of Iowa and the southern half of Wisconsin. In southeastern Minnesota, the warning has been posted through 6 AM tomorrow.

Predicted Snowfall Totals

The National Weather Service indicates the track of the storm system has not changed since yesterday and that there is a high probability of 6 or more inches of snow along and south of I-90 in southern Minnesota. The current forecast for the Rochester area includes the potential for up to 10 inches of snow by Sunday morning.

Forecasters continue to predict the heaviest snow will fall in parts of northern Iowa. The predicted accumulation totals in areas south of Mason City and Decorah are in the 12–14 inch range.

Expect Gusty Winds and Falling Temperatures

In addition to the snow, the National Weather Service says the storm system is expected to produce gusty winds through the day tomorrow. The wind gusts are forecast to be around or above 30 mph this afternoon and overnight. The storm system is also expected to pull in even colder air as it moves away from Minnesota. Forecasters are predicting falling temperatures through the day on Sunday, with the low on Monday morning in the single digits and wind chills below zero.

Travel Not Advised

The winter storm warning advises against travel, if possible, and suggests that anyone who cannot avoid travel plan for extra time due to slippery conditions and reduced visibility. The Minnesota Department of Transportation, as of 9 AM Saturday, reported numerous major highways in southeastern Minnesota, including I-90, are completely snow-covered, and travel conditions are expected to worsen through the day.

City of Rochester Snow Removal and Parking Rules

The City of Rochester has already posted notice that no parking will be allowed in the downtown area overnight beginning tonight to allow for snow removal operations. The parking ban will be in effect from midnight through 8 AM through Tuesday morning. The city is warning that all vehicles parked in violation of the parking ban will be ticketed and towed.

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