Officials advise no unnecessary travel in west-central Minnesota
WILLMAR, Minn. -- Blowing snow, reduced visibility and drifting have created difficult to hazardous driving conditions in west-central Minnesota.
No travel is advised in areas west of Montevideo, where road conditions are described as hazardous.
Lac qui Parle County pulled its county plows from the roads this morning and is advising no travel in that area, according to the Sheriff's Department.
The Minnesota Department of Transportation advises motorists not to travel unnecessarily in Chippewa, Lac qui Parle, Lincoln, Lyon, Murray, Redwood, Pipestone, and Yellow Medicine counties, due to high winds and blowing snow causing near zero visibility.
County plows are still operating in Chippewa, Swift and Yellow Medicine counties, but are finding the going difficult.
The MnDOT office in Willmar reports that state plows are keeping the highways clear but cautions that there is drifting in sheltered areas.
Diane Beck, MnDOT public affairs, said the department also advises motorists that there are drifting and visibility problems in the western portion of the region.
The West Central Tribune in Willmar, Minn., is owned by Forum Communications Co.