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Weather and Climate News
Andrew Krueger

Blizzard conditions force highway closures in NW Minnesota

Blizzard conditions are seen along a highway
Blizzard conditions are seen Friday morning along Minnesota Highway 9 near Beltrami in Polk County.
Minnesota Department of Transportation

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Updated 5:40 p.m.

Several major highways in west-central and northwestern Minnesota that were closed Friday morning as north winds gusting to near 50 mph created blizzard conditions are now back open.

MnDOT says while highways are open, driving remains difficult due to icy conditions and blowing snow.

The Minnesota State Patrol said it responded to 90 crashes statewide — seven with injuries but none serious or fatal — along with 112 vehicle spinouts and nine jackknifed semitrailers between 5 a.m. and 11:30 a.m.

Interstate 94 between Moorhead and Fergus Falls is open after being closed most of the afternoon as authorities cleared crashed vehicles and several jackknifed semis. Other highway closures earlier Friday included U.S. Highway 10 between Moorhead and Detroit Lakes, and U.S. Highway 2 between East Grand Forks and Crookston.

More closure information — and details on road conditions across Minnesota — can be found on the Minnesota Department of Transportation's 511 site.

Beyond the road closures, as of midmorning Friday MnDOT said a no-travel advisory remained in place from near Alexandria to Moorhead and north to the Canadian border. Blizzard warnings remain in effect for the Red River Valley through noon Friday.

In the Twin Cities, highways were becoming icy Friday as rain earlier in the morning changed over to snow. The National Weather Service said temperatures would keep falling through the day.

Find forecast details on MPR News Updraft weather blog.