Blowing snow triggers 167 crashes; I‑35, I‑90 closures reported
Blowing snow and white‑out conditions from a winter storm led to 167 crashes across Minnesota — including 102 property‑damage and 10 injury crashes between 9 a.m. and 4 p.m., about 50 vehicles off the road and three jackknifed semis — and prompted no‑travel advisories and closures on portions of I‑35 at Hwy 14 and I‑90. A blizzard warning in northwest Minnesota produced visibilities under 1/10 mile with gusts over 55 mph, while the Twin Cities saw about 5–7 inches of snow (western Wisconsin up to 9 inches), leaving slick, icy roads and reduced visibility through the evening.
📌 Key Facts
- Blowing snow and whiteout conditions led to 167 crashes statewide, according to the State Patrol; between 9 a.m. and 4 p.m. there were 102 property‑damage crashes and 10 injury crashes.
- Fifty vehicles were reported off the road and three semis jackknifed during the storm.
- Portions of I‑35 at Hwy 14 and I‑90 were closed because of multiple crashes.
- Visibility fell below 1/10 mile in some areas, with white‑out and drifting snow reported.
- A 'no travel advised' alert was issued near the North Dakota border in northwestern Minnesota under a blizzard warning, and McLeod County also issued a no‑travel advisory due to whiteout conditions.
- Wind gusts exceeded 55 mph in parts of the state; the Twin Cities metro faced plunging temperatures, gusty winds and bursts of snow that made travel challenging.
- The same storm produced 5–7 inches of snow across most of the Twin Cities (with specific metro city totals reported), while western Wisconsin saw higher amounts—up to 9 inches in Haugen.
- Some areas under blizzard warnings in western and southern Minnesota had not yet reported snowfall totals, suggesting crashes and closures likely occurred amid higher, still‑unmeasured accumulations.
- Twin Cities roads remained partially covered with ice and brown snow, with slick spots and reduced visibility expected through late evening.
📊 Relevant Data
In Minneapolis, Black residents comprise 19% of the population but account for 26% of traffic deaths.
Safety data — City of Minneapolis
In Minneapolis, Native American residents comprise 1% of the population but account for 4% of people killed in vehicle crashes and 5% of people killed in pedestrian and bicycle crashes.
Safety data — City of Minneapolis
Nationally, non-Hispanic Black individuals experience a passenger vehicle fatality rate 73% higher than non-Hispanic White individuals.
Motor Vehicle Fatality Disparities by Race or Ethnic Origin — National Safety Council
In Minnesota, 13.2% of Black residents lack household access to a vehicle compared to 3% of White non-Hispanic residents, potentially increasing exposure to traffic risks in adverse weather.
Race and Transportation Trend Analysis — Minnesota GO
📰 Sources (4)
- 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.