After a sluggish start to winter, parts of southwest Minnesota get walloped with snow

[MUSIC PLAYING] CATHY WURZER: After a sluggish start to winter, the New Year is bringing a wallop of what we have not seen in a long time, snow and a lot of it, especially for parts of Southwest Minnesota and around Sioux Falls, South Dakota, where travel is not advised. That part of the region could see nearly a foot of snow by tomorrow morning, and there are winter storm warnings and winter weather advisories posted.

Some school districts in places like Canby, Laverne, and Worthington have moved to online classes. Other districts even canceled school in places like Lake Benton and Pipestone. Nobles County Sheriff Ryan Kruger joins us now from Worthington with a firsthand experience this morning with these conditions. Thanks for joining us, Sheriff.

RYAN KRUGER: Thanks for having me on.

CATHY WURZER: Well, you look out the window, Worthington's right in the middle of everything right now. What are you seeing?

RYAN KRUGER: Well, we've got lots of snow that we didn't have a couple of days ago. It looks like things have kind of let up a little bit right now, but that's kind of what they predicted, a little bit of a lull in the storm. But we're anticipating that that's probably going to pick up later this afternoon again.

CATHY WURZER: The mayor of Sioux Falls, which is not that far away from you, said that people shouldn't travel in his city, just because of conditions. What are you seeing in terms of conditions? Are people out and about in Worthington?

RYAN KRUGER: Yeah, it looks like people are out, moving around a little bit in Worthington. Most of our roads are snow covered and probably getting packed by now. So I would encourage people that if they need to be out, they can probably get where they're going right now, but that could change by the hour.

CATHY WURZER: Have your deputies been busy with any spinouts and crashes?

RYAN KRUGER: We've had a few of those. I think the guys are out on one right now, but yeah, it's been just vehicles off road, a few crashes, but it's kind of what we anticipated for today.

CATHY WURZER: People, of course, are not used to driving in snow. I mean, we haven't had it, right? So by this time of the year, normally, people are used to it, but I'm sure it's been kind of difficult to get used to the winter.

RYAN KRUGER: Yeah, it seems like it usually takes a few snows before people get used to driving in it. Last year at this time, we were well versed on driving in snow. But yeah, the first snowfall always seems to bring a few people to the ditches and off road.

CATHY WURZER: Although we should say-- and I've driven I-90, as have you, for years, it can get kind of dicey on I-90 because you got the wind and the open road. Are you thinking that as the winds pick up, you could see some problems there?

RYAN KRUGER: Yeah, they're anticipating winds to pick up overnight. And with that, in our open area down here, it can create zero visibility and really tough driving conditions. So when that starts to happen, I would encourage people to stay home. And if you don't need to be out, stay home and stay off the roads so we don't have to try to find you.

CATHY WURZER: Right. I'm assuming that as things go along here, if it does get kind of dicey, are you in contact with MinDOT? Does MinDOT make the call to close down, say, roads in your area? Do you get to make that call? Whose decision-making is that?

RYAN KRUGER: That is MinDOT's call, but typically they do communicate with us on conditions and what we're seeing, along with their state troopers that are out working on the roads.

CATHY WURZER: Any idea here, Sheriff, how much snow has fallen so far around your area?

RYAN KRUGER: It's hard to say. I've heard and based on what I can see, I'd say we had six inches, maybe a little bit more in areas, so far.

CATHY WURZER: So pretty decent at this point.

RYAN KRUGER: Yeah, pretty decent. I was surprised this morning when I got up to see how much snow we actually had already.

CATHY WURZER: Do you anticipate adding any staff overnight or into the evening hours?

RYAN KRUGER: Not at this point. We will run our regular staffing and adjust as needed.

CATHY WURZER: OK. So again, if you're driving in the Worthington area, there's a bit of a lull in the action right now, but expect it to pick up and it could get kind of tough down there.

RYAN KRUGER: Yep, yep, some of the forecasts that we're seeing or hearing about is snow rates picking up again to that almost an inch to an inch and a half an hour or. So that's going to create some tough roads for us.

CATHY WURZER: No kidding. Well, be careful, and thank you for the update, Sheriff.

RYAN KRUGER: All right, thanks.

CATHY WURZER: We've been talking to Nobles County Sheriff Ryan Kruger.