Blizzard and ice trigger 500+ crashes over two days; I‑35 closures in southern Minnesota
Blizzard‑force winds, whiteout snow and icy roads produced more than 500 crashes across Minnesota over two days — Sunday recorded 366 property‑damage and 30 injury crashes and Monday about 186 property‑damage and 16 injury crashes — with dozens of jackknifed semis and hundreds of vehicles driven off the road. Portions of I‑35 in southern Minnesota were closed after multiple crashes and stranded motorists, prompting Minnesota National Guard assistance, while the Twin Cities saw 5–7 inches of snow (higher totals in western Wisconsin) and continued slick, low‑visibility conditions.
📌 Key Facts
- Blizzard warnings and 'no travel advised' alerts were issued in parts of northwestern Minnesota (near the North Dakota border) and McLeod County as whiteout conditions developed; visibility fell below one‑tenth of a mile in some areas.
- Wind gusts topped 55+ mph in parts of the state with drifting snow, plunging temperatures and bursts of snow that created gusty, hazardous travel, especially in the Twin Cities metro.
- Over the two‑day period State Patrol reports show Sunday had 366 property‑damage crashes and 30 injury crashes, and Monday had 186 property‑damage crashes and 16 injury crashes — a combined 552 property‑damage crashes and 46 injury crashes.
- There were widespread vehicle incidents: 24 jackknifed semis on Sunday and 17 on Monday (41 total), and 438 vehicles off the road on Sunday and 148 on Monday (586 total).
- An earlier State Patrol update during the storm’s initial hours had counted 167 crashes tied to blowing snow/whiteouts (including 102 property‑damage and 10 injury crashes between 9 a.m. and 4 p.m.), reflecting how counts rose as the event progressed.
- Portions of I‑35 (including at Hwy 14) and I‑90 were closed in southern Minnesota because of multiple crashes, and the Minnesota National Guard responded to assist stranded drivers on I‑35 during blizzard conditions.
- Snowfall context: the same storm dropped about 5–7 inches across most of the Twin Cities (with higher metro city totals in spots), western Wisconsin saw up to 9 inches (Haugen), and some western and southern Minnesota areas under blizzard warnings had not yet reported totals — indicating some heavier, unmeasured accumulations where impacts were severe.
- Twin Cities roads remained partially covered with ice and brown snow, with slick spots and reduced visibility expected through the evening, prolonging hazardous travel conditions.
📊 Relevant Data
In 2022, Minnesota recorded 7,644 crashes under snowy weather conditions, resulting in 21 fatalities and 1,652 injuries, providing context for the severity of recent storm-related incidents.
Minnesota Motor Vehicle Crash Facts 2022 — Minnesota Department of Public Safety
In 2022, Minnesota had 8,643 crashes on icy or frosty road surfaces, leading to 17 fatalities and 2,009 injuries, highlighting annual winter road hazards.
Minnesota Motor Vehicle Crash Facts 2022 — Minnesota Department of Public Safety
From 2015 to 2019 in Minnesota, Indigenous people, who comprise 0.9% of the population, were involved in 3.5% of fatal vehicle crashes.
Race and Transportation Trend Analysis — Minnesota GO
Nationally, from 1999-2014 to 2015-2020, the mean motor vehicle crash mortality rate per capita for White individuals decreased by 13%, while the rate for Black individuals increased by 7%.
An Emerging Racial Disparity in US Motor Vehicle Fatalities — PMC (PubMed Central)
Historical policies like redlining and urban renewal in Minnesota have limited homeownership for Black communities, contributing to lower vehicle ownership rates and geographic segregation that affects transportation access.
Race and Transportation Trend Analysis — Minnesota GO
📰 Source Timeline (5)
Follow how coverage of this story developed over time
- Updated crash statistics broken out by Sunday vs. Monday, including Sunday’s 366 property‑damage crashes and 30 injury crashes, plus Monday morning’s 186 property‑damage crashes and 16 injury crashes.
- Specific count of jackknifed semi‑trucks on each day (24 Sunday, 17 Monday) and vehicles off the road (438 Sunday, 148 Monday).
- Notes that the Minnesota National Guard responded to assist stranded drivers on I‑35 during the blizzard conditions.
- Provides quantified snowfall context for the same storm system that caused 167 crashes: 5–7" across most of the Twin Cities, with specific metro city totals.
- Documents that western Wisconsin saw higher amounts (up to 9" in Haugen), helping explain regional differences in impacts compared with Minnesota.
- Clarifies that some areas under blizzard warnings in western and southern Minnesota had not yet reported totals, indicating that previously reported crash and closure figures likely occurred under higher, but still unmeasured, accumulations.
- State Patrol reports 167 crashes so far tied to blowing snow/whiteouts; between 9 a.m.–4 p.m.: 102 property‑damage crashes and 10 injury crashes.
- Fifty vehicles off the road and three jackknifed semis reported.
- McLeod County issued a no-travel advisory due to whiteout conditions.
- Portions of I‑35 at Hwy 14 and I‑90 were closed because of multiple crashes.
- Twin Cities roads remain partially covered with ice/brown snow; slick spots and reduced visibility expected through late evening.
- A 'no travel advised' alert was issued near the North Dakota border in northwestern Minnesota under a blizzard warning.
- Visibility in some areas fell below 1/10 mile with white-out and drifting snow reported.
- Wind gusts could top 55+ mph in parts of the state; metro faces challenging travel with plunging temps, gusty winds and bursts of snow.