Funviralpark The Interstate 90 closure extends from the South Dakota border to west of Albert Lea. Most state highways are also closed in southwestern Minnesota.
The Minnesota Department of Homeland Security and Emergency Management made the announcement shortly before 7pm, shortly after the Minnesota Department of Transportation issued a travel ban advisory around 6pm.
The advisory extends from the western borders of North and South Dakota to Faribault and Owatonna in the east. From the south, it begins at the Iowa border and ends roughly at the Madison, Wilmar, and Litchfield borders. It now remains on the south side of Interstate 94.
Those on the road are advised to expect drifting and blown snow due to poor visibility for less than a tenth of a mile.
Red roads are closed. Dark purple roads are subject to a “no movement advisory”.
Minnesota’s blizzard warning has also been extended north to include much of Interstate 94, including Alexandria, Fergus Falls, and Moorhead.
The National Weather Service still says travel from Thursday afternoon through Saturday morning is “impossible and potentially life threatening.”
The blizzard is expected to be the worst on Friday, combined with “dangerously cold wind chills” with temperatures ranging from -30 to 45 degrees Celsius.
Early Thursday, Cottonwood County Emergency Management announced it would be removing its own snowplows from the roads due to severe road conditions.
