The Minnesota Department of Transportation has issued a no travel advisory for state highways in southcentral and southwest Minnesota, including I-90, due to blizzard conditions and zero visibility.
Counties included in the no travel advisory are Blue Earth, Brown, Cottonwood, Faribault, Jackson, Le Sueur, Martin, Nicollet, Nobles, Rock, Sibley, Waseca, and Watonwan.
Most state highways in southcentral and southwest Minnesota closed at 7 p.m. Thursday. All state highways in the following counties closed: Brown, Cottonwood, Faribault, Jackson, Martin, Nobles, Rock, Waseca, and Watonwan. Several state highways in Blue Earth (Minnesota 169 north of Mankato), Le Sueur (Minnesota 99 east of St. Peter and Minnesota 19 from Henderson to New Prague), Nicollet (Minnesota 169) and Sibley (Minnesota 169 and Minnesota 19 from Gaylord to Henderson) counties will remain open as conditions allow.
Additional road closures are likely as conditions are expected to further deteriorate overnight and on Friday.
Challenges with this blizzard stem from prolonged high winds causing blowing and drifting snow, dramatically reduced and zero visibility at times, along with extremely dangerous wind chills. Conditions could be life-threating if travelers were to become stranded. Travelers should consider changing travel plans until the blizzard warning is no longer in effect.
MnDOT reminds motorists that it is illegal to travel on a closed road and if a motorist requires rescuing, they are liable for all related rescue costs.
No travel advisory means that the roadway has deteriorated and/or visibility has been reduced to the point that it is very dangerous to travel; there are reports of intermittent whiteout conditions; and, some weather conditions can be severe enough that road treatments, such as salt or sand, are not effective. Motorists are advised not to travel in these areas until conditions improve.
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