Heavy snow made for difficult driving in the Dakotas and northern Minnesota with winter weather advisories continuing for much of the region.
Ice accumulations on power lines caused about 2,000 customers in multiple cities to experience power outages in central North Dakota and south to the South Dakota state line Tuesday night.
In Duluth, Minn., visibilities were decreased to a quarter-mile in heavy snow as of 8 a.m. before the band of snow started moving out of the area to the north. The National Weather Service reported that there should be a lull in the snow during the midday hours in the Duluth area before snow redevelops this afternoon.
While winds have been relatively calm in most areas in the early-morning hours, the National Weather Service in Grand Forks, N.D., has received some reports of wind gusts up to 50 mph in eastern North Dakota and western Minnesota.
Ada, Minn., reported 5.5 inches of snow in the central Red River Valley snowfall at the weather service office in Grand Forks totaled 2.9 inches at 6 a.m. and 3.5 inches reported in Fargo.
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The Minnesota Department of Transportation reported many highways in northeastern Minnesota as snow-covered this morning. Traffic cameras showed traffic backed up on the Duluth-bound lanes of the Blatnik Bridge, and showed vehicles having a hard time climbing the hill on Mesaba Avenue in Duluth.
Much of northwestern Wisconsin is forecast to see mixed precipitation Wednesday, eventually changing over to light snow.
In South Dakota, where the storm first hit Tuesday afternoon, state officials announced Wednesday that they have reopened Interstate 90 to traffic between Rapid City in the far west and Chamberlain in the central part of the state in both directions.
Drivers are reminded that serious winter driving conditions still exist on I-90 and on many highways across the state. Motorists can expect snow packed and slippery areas, possible blowing and drifting snow, and zero to near-zero visibility at times as the expected 40 mph winds pick up.
Officials are still recommending “no travel” in many areas and ask you to consider changing travel plans today.
