Blizzard closes and then reopens I‑35 from Albert Lea to Iowa
After a weekend blizzard that produced heavy snow, high winds and hundreds of crashes, Interstate 35 was closed south of Albert Lea — between I‑90 and Highway 30 in Ames, Iowa — stranding motorists and prompting Minnesota National Guard assistance in Freeborn County and southern Minnesota. The corridor has since reopened in far southern Minnesota and northern Iowa, but state DOTs say crews will work through the morning of Dec. 29 to remove disabled vehicles and finish snow-and-ice clearing and advise motorists not to detour around I‑35 until conditions improve.
📌 Key Facts
- Interstate 35, which had been closed south of Albert Lea into northern Iowa during the weekend blizzard, has reopened in far southern Minnesota and northern Iowa; the closed segment was I‑35 between I‑90 in Albert Lea and Highway 30 in Ames, Iowa, and the Owatonna–Albert Lea segment reopened early Monday (Dec. 29, 2025).
- Iowa DOT said agencies would work through the morning of Dec. 29 to remove disabled vehicles and finish snow and ice removal, and warned drivers not to detour around I‑35 until conditions improve.
- The Minnesota National Guard was deployed to Freeborn County and other parts of southern Minnesota to help stranded drivers and assist with clearing roads after the storm.
- The storm produced variable precipitation across the region: a west–east accumulation band from Marshall/Redwood Falls toward Mankato, Faribault and Rochester, with a split of heavy snow north of the Twin Cities metro and rain/freezing‑rain/mix in and west–southwest of the metro.
- Reported snowfall and local totals varied — Twin Cities generally 1–4 inches (with some forecasts and updates showing 1–4" for the metro and 4–7" north of I‑94), and some local totals around 5–7 inches (examples: Cambridge 6.9", North Branch 6.0", Golden Valley 5.3").
- Strong winds were a major hazard: forecasts called for SW winds 20–40 mph turning NW with gusts approaching or exceeding 45–50+ mph, raising risks of blowing snow and possible ground‑blizzard conditions in southern Minnesota and making the evening commute especially hazardous.
- Widespread travel impacts occurred: MnDOT reported many Twin Cities roads snow‑covered with dozens of plows operating and said crews would stay ready and monitor roads overnight into Tuesday (full plowing not always needed); the Minnesota State Patrol recorded hundreds of crashes over the weekend and Monday (Sunday: 366 property‑damage crashes, 30 injury crashes, 27 spinouts, 438 vehicles off road, 24 jackknifed semis; Monday: 186 property‑damage crashes, 16 injury crashes, 25 spinouts, 148 vehicles off road, 17 jackknifed semis).
- NWS and local agencies issued Winter Storm Warnings/Advisories/Watches for parts of Minnesota and advised avoiding nonessential travel during the worst of the storm (typically Tuesday night through Wednesday morning in the forecasts).
📊 Relevant Data
From 2014 onwards, risky behaviors such as speeding, unlicensed driving, and not wearing seatbelts have relatively increased among Black decedents in motor vehicle fatalities in the United States, contributing to rising disparity in fatality rates.
An Emerging Racial Disparity in US Motor Vehicle Fatalities — PMC
Non-Hispanic Black individuals in the United States experience a passenger vehicle occupant fatality rate that is 73% higher than that of non-Hispanic White individuals.
Motor Vehicle Fatality Disparities by Race or Ethnic Origin — Injury Facts (NSC)
From 2016 to 2020, the traffic fatality rate per 100,000 population increased for Black or African American people in the United States.
Traffic Safety Facts: 2020 Data - Race and Ethnicity — NHTSA
In Minnesota, winter months produce more traffic crashes but result in fewer fatalities compared to warmer months, with crashes being less severe during winter.
A Report on the State of Traffic Safety in Minnesota in 2023 — Minnesota TZD
Harsh winter weather in Minnesota generally results in more traffic crashes, particularly minor collisions during icy and snowy conditions.
Minnesota Motor Vehicle Crash Facts 2020 — Minnesota DPS
📰 Source Timeline (10)
Follow how coverage of this story developed over time
December 29, 2025
6:46 PM
MN weather: Hundreds of crashes on slippery roads Monday after Sunday snowstorm
New information:
- Minnesota State Patrol reports that between midnight and 11:30 a.m. Monday there were 186 property‑damage crashes, 16 injury crashes, 25 spinouts, 148 vehicles off the road, and 17 jackknifed semis statewide.
- On Sunday’s storm day, troopers recorded 366 property‑damage crashes, 30 injury crashes, 27 spinouts, 438 vehicles off the road, and 24 jackknifed semis.
- Article confirms I‑35 remained closed south of Albert Lea into northern Iowa Monday morning and notes the Minnesota National Guard helped stranded drivers during the storm.
4:02 PM
Interstate 35 reopens from Albert Lea to Iowa following storm
New information:
- Confirms I‑35 has reopened in far southern Minnesota and northern Iowa after the weekend blizzard.
- Specifies the closed segment as I‑35 between I‑90 in Albert Lea and Highway 30 in Ames, Iowa, with the Owatonna–Albert Lea segment reopening early Monday.
- Details Iowa DOT’s statement that agencies will work through the morning of Dec. 29 to remove disabled vehicles and complete snow and ice removal, and advises against detouring around I‑35 until conditions improve.
- Notes Minnesota National Guard deployment specifically to assist stranded drivers and clear roads in Freeborn County and southern Minnesota after the storm.
December 10, 2025
8:31 AM
LIVE UPDATES | Minnesota weather: Light snow early Wednesday; snow covered roads
New information:
- Light snow is winding down before the bulk of the Wednesday morning commute; most accumulation occurred before 9–10 p.m. Tuesday.
- MnDOT reports many Twin Cities roads are snow covered as of 3:30 a.m., with dozens of plows operating.
- Early snow totals: Cambridge 6.9", North Branch 6.0", Golden Valley 5.3", Coon Rapids 4.6", MSP Airport 3.4" (as of midnight), Chanhassen 2.8".
- Dozens of schools are closed or opening late as of 3 a.m. Wednesday.
December 09, 2025
1:03 PM
LIVE UPDATES | Minnesota weather: Light snow leaves slick roads ahead of winter storm
New information:
- As of 7 a.m., MnDOT reports mixed road conditions (snow/slush/ice/frost) with a few crashes in the metro and greater Minnesota.
- Refined timeline: snow to wintry mix arrives noon–6 p.m. Tuesday (1–3"), rainy mix to snow 6 p.m.–midnight (~1"), lingering snow/gusts to 45+ mph midnight–9 a.m. Wednesday (~1").
- Twin Cities accumulation now pegged at 1–4"; winter storm warning area north of I-94 forecast 4–7"; winter weather advisory along/just south of I-94; southern Minnesota under winter storm watch with high winds and possible ground blizzard.
- Temperatures expected to peak near 34°F around 9 p.m. Tuesday with rain/snow line fluctuations; evening commute likely messy with worsening conditions into Tuesday night.
12:29 PM
Minnesota weather: What to expect with Tuesday's winter storm
New information:
- Updated metro snowfall forecast: Twin Cities now projected at 1–4 inches (previous guidance cited higher local totals).
- Winter Storm Warning specified for areas north of I-94; Winter Weather Advisory along and just south of I-94; southern MN under a Winter Storm Watch.
- Detailed timeline: quiet/misty morning; noon–6 p.m. snow to wintry mix with 1–3 inches, 6 p.m.–midnight rainy mix to snow (~1 inch), midnight–9 a.m. gusty wrap‑up (~1 inch).
- Wind gusts could exceed 45 mph late Tuesday night into Wednesday morning, raising blowing snow/ground blizzard concerns in southern MN.
- Evening commute flagged as 'messy' due to mix and changing precipitation types.
December 08, 2025
11:45 PM
MN weather: Tracking snow, freezing rain on Tuesday
New information:
- Forecast details a SW wind 20–40 mph turning NW after 6 p.m. with gusts approaching 50 mph.
- Precipitation split: potential burst of heavy snow north of the metro; rain/freezing rain/wintry mix in and west–southwest of the metro.
- Geography of alerts: majority of Minnesota in a Winter Weather Advisory; north metro into north‑central Minnesota in a Winter Storm Warning.
- Timeline specifics: flurries arrive late morning from western Minnesota; snow tapers late Tuesday with spotty overnight flurries.
November 25, 2025
1:01 PM
Winter storm warning goes into effect for Twin Cities late Tuesday
New information:
- NWS Twin Cities has now issued a Winter Storm Warning for the Twin Cities from 9 p.m. Tuesday to 9 a.m. Wednesday.
- Forecast snowfall for the metro increased to 4–8 inches, with heavy rates near 1 inch/hour possible.
- NWS advises avoiding non‑essential travel Tuesday night through Wednesday morning; best windows are Tuesday morning or Wednesday afternoon.
November 18, 2025
12:21 PM
Road conditions: Rainy mix could create some slick spots in southern MN
New information:
- As of 5:45 a.m., MnDOT reported light slush, damp pavement and slick spots east of Norwood Young America, south of Hutchinson, and near Olivia.
- Precipitation reached as far north as Jordan–Lakeville–Hastings, brushing the southern Twin Cities metro; no crashes reported so far.
- System expected to shift east by mid to late morning, leaving a mostly dry remainder of the day.
12:34 AM
Minnesota weather: Winter weather advisory, slushy start Tuesday morning
New information:
- MnDOT says crews will stay ready and monitor roads overnight and into Tuesday morning, though full plowing is likely not needed yet.
- Forecast pinpoints a west–east band most likely for accumulation from Marshall/Redwood Falls toward Mankato, Faribault and Rochester.