(Update) Record Snow and Fatal Crashes in Minnesota

Duluth, MN (KROC-AM News) - The early winter storm that has pounded sections of northern Minnesota today has also proved deadly on state highways.

The State Patrol earlier reported the storm had contributed to over 100 crashes and 125 vehicle spin outs. 16 of the crashes resulted in injuries and two were fatal. One of the fatal crashes involved a semi truck that went off a bridge over the St. Louis River on I-35 near Duluth around 4:30 this morning. The other fatality was reported in the Brainerd area.

The storm has produced some record-setting snowfalls for this early in the season. The highest totals are along the north shore of Lake Superior, where over 10 inches of accumulation was reported in the town of Finland. There have been reports of 7-9 inches of snow in the Duluth area.

Forecasters are predicting the Rochester area might some minor accumulations as the storm system pushes through the region, while the Twin Cities has seen between 1 and 3 inches of snow. The cold air following the snow has resulted in the season’s first freeze warning for southeastern Minnesota. The National Weather Service is expecting a killing frost in the Rochester area by early Saturday morning with a morning low in the mid to upper 20s.

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(earlier version)

Undated (KROC AM News) - Northeast Minnesota has taken the brunt of the first winter storm of the season to hit the state.

Heavy snow fell along the North Shore and the Arrowhead region Friday with more than 8 inches in Chisholm, 6.5 inches in Hibbing and 5 inches in Duluth - a record for the date and also the 5th snowiest day for the month of October. The fast-moving storm also produced very strong winds, including a 63 mph gust at the Duluth airport.

The same storm dumped 3 - 5 inches across northwest Minnesota. The Twin Cities metro is expected to receive 1-3 inches by Friday evening.

Only about an inch is expected in the Rochester area.