The Minnesota Department of Transportation is advising no unnecessary travel in southeastern Minnesota due to icy roads caused by rain, wet snow and freezing temperatures.

Driving conditions took a sour turn early Sunday, as a winter storm dumped freezing rain and glazed over area roads.

At this time, officials do not anticipate any interstate or highway closures, motorists may encounter brief lane and road closures where crashes occur.

The National Weather Service has issued a winter storm warning, and the system is expected to drop a mix of snow, sleet and freezing rain for much of Sunday.

The warning is took effect a 9 a.m. Sunday and goes until midnight.

While NWS is only calling for about 1 to 2 inches of precipitation, it is reporting travel could be “hazardous or nearly impossible due to the various types of wintry precipitation.”

However, moderate to heavy snow is expected at times, before the precipitation is expected to change over entirely to freezing drizzle Sunday evening.

Sunday’s high will be around 32, with a low of 27.

After a stretch of cold weather last week, highs will be in the 30s through Tuesday, before a high temperature of 16 on Wednesday drops to lows below zero.

Thursday’s high will only be around 3.

Snow and rain could return to the area on Monday, Tuesday or Wednesday next week.

 

MnDOT urging caution:

As snowplow operators work, to make highways safe MnDOT is advising motorists to:

• Drive slowly on bridges, overpasses and tunnels.
• Use a safe speed for winter driving conditions, regardless of the posted speed limit.
• Keep a safe stopping distance from the vehicle in front of you.
• Keep both hands on the steering wheel, eyes on the road and attention on your driving.