Icy Conditions Contribute to Hundreds of Crashes in Minnesota
Rochester, MN (KROC-AM News) - A southeastern shift in the track of the winter storm affecting the region today has significantly lessened the amount of snow expected in the Rochester area, but road conditions remain dicey.
Through noon today, the Minnesota State Patrol had received reports of over 230 traffic crashes statewide. 28 of those crashes resulted in injuries and in one case there were serious injuries. The State Patrol also reported 113 vehicle spinouts and one jackknifed semi-truck.
The icy conditions are a result of a mixture of freezing mist and light snow that developed this morning. That is expected to continue into the night with total snow accumulations across southeastern Minnesota predicted to be in the 1-4 inch range. The higher accumulations are expected near the Iowa border and a winter storm warning remains in effect for portions of northeast Iowa that could see over a half foot of accumulation by tomorrow morning.