The Associated Press

Authorities advised no travel in most of southwestern Minnesota this morning because of strong winds, drastically reduced visibility, heavy ground drifting and icy surfaces that created dangerous driving conditions.

Friday, February 09, 2001

Authorities advised no travel in most of southwestern Minnesota this morning because of strong winds, drastically reduced visibility, heavy ground drifting and icy surfaces that created dangerous driving conditions.

Bitter cold and gusty winds blew into Minnesota today behind two waves of snow that fell Wednesday and Thursday. Wind chills in western Minnesota were forecast to drop to 30 to 50 below zero with northwest winds gusting past 30 mph.

Highs today were forecast to range from around zero in northwestern Minnesota to the mid-20s in the southeast, but with temperatures falling through the teens in the southeast through the day. Lows tonight were forecast to drop to 10 below to 20 below. Highs Saturday were expected to range from the single digits above zero to the teens.

Numerous school districts across southern Minnesota canceled classes today or started classes late because of the poor driving conditions.

On Thursday, cars slid into ditches and plows worked overtime across Minnesota as a slow-moving storm blanketed the state with snow – as much as a foot in at least one northern city. Wet roads froze as temperatures fell during the morning rush hour, resulting in scads of spinouts and rollovers.

"I was on the highway and it was perfectly clear and the traffic was moving, and the next thing I knew I was upside down and going around," said Carol Brielmaier. Her Ford Explorer came to rest on its side in a highway median in Mankato. She had to be cut from her seat belt, which she credited with saving her from serious injury.

At least 35 rollovers were reported in the Twin Cities area alone Thursday.

State Patrol Lt. Col. Steve Mengelkoch said fast driving by sport-utility vehicles and four-wheel drive vehicles has been a problem. The vehicles are prone to roll over when they hit a ridge of snow because the wheels stop and the top of the vehicle keeps moving.

"Too many drivers think that if the snow isn’t hitting their windshield they can keep driving fast; if they have visibility they go for it," said State Patrol Lt. Scott McConkey.

Kip Laven, a driver for North Suburban Towing, agreed.

"I’d say 75 percent of the people I winch out of the ditch have four-wheel drive," he said. "They think they can drive faster than anyone else."

Treacherous road conditions were blamed in at least three traffic deaths Wednesday and Thursday. Lindsey Lindermeier, 18, of Waconia, was killed on Highway 5 in Waconia, about 30 miles west of Minneapolis, on Thursday morning when her car slid into oncoming traffic and collided with a semi.

In northern Minnesota, Duluth had more than eight inches of snow by Thursday evening, pushing its winter total to 61.7 inches – besting last winter’s 55.5 inches. Snowfall varied across the region with about 4 inches near Hinckley to about 10 inches near Adolph, which is west of Duluth.

Aitkin, 75 miles west of Duluth, reported 12 inches of snow.

Northwest Airlines said about 100 flights were affected by cancellations or delays Thursday at Minneapolis-St. Paul International Airport, on top of the 200 that were canceled Wednesday. The airline extended a weather waiver for passengers holding confirmed tickets for travel through today to, from or through the Twin Cities.