Blast of Snow in SE Minnesota Leads to Numerous Traffic Wrecks

Rochester, MN (KROC AM News - A snow burst across a large part of southeast Minnesota Monday morning led to rapidly deteriorating driving conditions, resulting in numerous traffic accidents, spinouts, jackknifed trucks, and other mishaps.

No serious injuries were reported. Among those injured were two adults and three young children involved in a crash in Kasson. The Minnesota State Patrol reports 36-year-old Jessie Shaffer of New Richland was driving on Highway 14 around noon when her vehicle left the roadway and overturned in the ditch. She, 40-year-old Brian Hoffman of New Richland and the children were taken to St. Marys Hospital for treatment of non-life threatening injuries.

Roads in the area were still classified as partially covered with ice/snow Tuesday morning. Motorists are urged to drive with caution.

Snowfall amounts across the region were generally in the 2 - 3 inch range. The Rochester airport recorded 1.9 inches.

Very cold air and strong winds moved in as the snow moved out. The temperature at the Rochester airport was 30-degrees at 10:00 AM Monday. It fell to 3-below just before midnight. The reading at 4:00 AM Tuesday was -6 degrees. The frigid weather will continue through Wednesday.