Blizzard rages: Whiteout, civil emergency messages
As expected, the first real blizzard of the winter season is raging today across western and northern Minnesota.
Scenes like this one are common across Minnesota this afternoon.
Heavy snow and winds gusting from 50 to 71 mph are causing whiteout conditions across western and northern Minnesota and eastern South Dakota.
No travel is advised across a huge swath of Minnesota today.
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1 WNW Summit [Roberts Co, SD] MESONET reports NON-TSTM WND GST of M71 MPH at 6:20 AM CST --
5 SSW Marietta [Lac Qui Parle Co, MN] MESONET reports NON-TSTM WND GST of M50 MPH at 6:35 AM CST -- MESONET STATION MARIETTA 5SSW /MN059/.
Chokio [Stevens Co, MN] TRAINED SPOTTER reports BLIZZARD at 10:30 AM CST -- WIND GUST OF 50 MPH MEASURED. ZERO VISIBILITY. TRAVELERS TRYING TO REACH MORRIS STRANDED AT GAS STATION IN TOWN.
Counties in western Minnesota and eastern South Dakota have issued civil emergency messages advising no travel due to whiteout conditions.
Blizzard warnings have been expanded to include the Brainerd Lakes area and north central Minnesota.
Rain is changing to snow across the Twin Cities metro this afternoon.
Expect wet roads early, but conditions will deteriorate as the afternoon progresses. Potential for significant snow accumulations will favor the northwest metro.