The weather was terrible, as promised, Wednesday afternoon for Minnesotans. Roads were in hazardous condition as freezing rain and icy patches spread throughout southeast Minnesota.

There was only one accident in town as of 2:30 p.m. Wednesday according to Mower County dispatch. I-90 east of the Oakland Avenue exit in Austin had already been treated with salt by 12:30 p.m., according to the state Department of Transportation.

Slick roads were most likely to blame in a one-car crash east of Albert Lea this afternoon.

Shortly after 1 p.m., the Freeborn County Sheriff’s Office, Hayward Fire Department and Minnesota State Patrol responded to a crash on Interstate 90 east of Albert Lea.

A Honda Element was driving westbound on I-90 when it reportedly lost control and took out the guard rail at the median at Oakland Avenue Exit 166.

Three people were transported by the Albert Lea Medical Center Emergency Medical Services, but it is unknown if there were injuries or which hospital they transported to.

A dispatch officer with the State Patrol said state patrol officers were busy dealing with the hazardous road conditions and were unable to release accident information Wednesday afternoon.

The National Weather Service warned travelers on Tuesday to take it easy when driving to their destinations Wednesday. Mower County experienced rain, sleet and in some instances freezing rain throughout the day Wednesday.

Thursday morning should be a better time to start holiday trips. The NWS is predicting partly sunny skies on Thanksgiving Day with a high of 20. Strong winds are still expected throughout the day Thursday and should continue into Friday. Early morning shoppers can expect a wind chill between -5 and -10 degrees, according to Todd Rieck, a meteorologist with the NWS.