Blizzard, freezing drizzle prompts road closures, travel advisories; schools close

This story was updated at 9:58 a.m. to include highway closure announcements.

The Minnesota Department of Transportation has closed some highways and advises no travel on others in northwestern Minnesota as of Thursday morning, Dec. 18, due to high winds causing blowing snow and zero visibility.

The closures are due to no visibility and stalled vehicles on the roadway.

"No Travel Advised" means the visibility has been reduced to the point that it is very dangerous to travel. Motorists are advised not to travel in these areas until the high winds subside and conditions improve.

The Polk County Sheriff's Office said some vehicles have already been stranded due to the conditions.

"If you do not need to travel, please stay home," a social media post from the office stated. "If you get stuck and stranded, first responders might not be able to reach you until the weather improves."

As of 7:45 a.m., the National Weather Service office in Grand Forks, North Dakota, reported wind gusts of 59 mph in Crookston, Donaldson, Warren and East Grand Forks. Shortly before 9 a.m., visibility at the weather service office was estimated to be 100-200 feet.

The following roads are closed as of 9:55 a.m.:

• Highway 1- North Dakota border to Warren
• Highway 2- East Grand Forks to Crookston
• Highway 75- Shelly to Canadian border
• Highway 175- North Dakota border to Hallock
• Highway 220 – Climax to Hwy 11

The following roads are no travel advised:

• Highway 9- Crookston to Borup
• Highway 102- Crookston to Fertile
• Highway 11- North Dakota border to Karlstad

In the Arrowhead, the Duluth office reported drizzle and freezing drizzle are creating slippery conditions, especially throughout St. Louis County and around the Twin Ports.

The Cook County Sheriff's Office also advised travelers to avoid gravel roads, specifically, as the warm, wet weather is making them "precarious," and the county can't plow or grade them.

Dozens of Minnesota schools have canceled classes or are closing early Thursday due to the weather. In the Northland, that includes:

• Ada-Borup-West: E-learning
• Badger: E-learning
• Blackduck: E-learning
• Clearbrook-Gonvick: Closed
• Climax-Shelly: E-learning
• Crookston: Closed
• East Grand Forks: E-learning
• Fertile-Beltrami: E-learning
• Fisher: E-learning
• Fosston: E-learning
• Greenbush-Middle River: E-learning
• Kelliher: Closed
• Kittson Central: Closed
• Lake of the Woods: E-learning
• Lake Park Audubon: E-learning
• Lancaster: Closed
• Mahnomen: E-learning
• Marshall County Central: E-learning
• Minnesota State Community and Technical College campuses: Closed
• Norman County East: E-learning
• Northome: E-learning
• Northland Community and Technical College campuses: Closed
• Red Lake: Closed
• Red Lake County Central: E-learning
• Red Lake Falls: E-learning
• Roseau: E-learning
• Stephen-Argyle Central: E-learning
• Thief River Falls: Closed
• Tri-County: E-learning
• Ulen-Hitterdal: E-learning
• University of Minnesota-Crookston: Reduced operations
• Warren-Alvarado-Oslo: Closed
• Warroad: E-learning
• Waubun-Ogema-White Earth: E-learning
• Win-E-Mac: E-learning

Temperatures are expected to drop quickly this afternoon, causing the precipitation to change to snow. Some snow was already falling about 8:45 a.m. along the Canadian border. Any leftover water on trees and elevated surfaces will quickly freeze in the early afternoon, the weather service warned.

Motorists should prepare for changing weather and monitor road conditions at 511mn.org. Drivers should plan accordingly with an emergency supply kit and clothing for extreme cold.

MnDOT snowplow operators will do their part to make highways safe, the agency stated, and motorists should remember to stay alert for snowplows. Stay back at least 10 car lengths behind the plow and don't drive into a snow cloud. Turn on headlights, wear a seat belt and turn off cruise control.