St. Cloud, Minnesota – Slick road conditions are affecting western Minnesota Wednesday morning due to freezing drizzle, creating hazardous travel on major roadways including Interstate 94.
According to the National Weather Service Twin Cities, early morning freezing drizzle and mist developed across western Minnesota, producing slick spots that may not be visible on radar. The agency said these icy conditions are expected to remain possible for several hours Tuesday morning, particularly on untreated roads, bridges, and overpasses.
Radar imagery indicates snow is being detected farther east across central and eastern Minnesota, but forecasters noted that this activity is mainly producing light flurries rather than accumulating snow. As a result, the primary travel concern remains patchy ice rather than snowfall.
Transportation officials urge drivers to reduce speeds, increase following distances, and allow extra time for morning commutes. I-94, along with connecting routes such as U.S. Highway 10 and regional county roads, may experience intermittent slick stretches, especially in rural and low-traffic areas where pavement temperatures remain below freezing.
The National Weather Service emphasized that freezing drizzle is particularly dangerous because it can create a thin, nearly invisible glaze of ice. Motorists may encounter rapidly changing conditions over short distances, even where roads appear merely wet.
As temperatures gradually stabilize later today, the threat of additional icing is expected to decrease, though drivers are advised to remain cautious through the late morning hours.
Current road condition updates are available through Minnesota 511, and travelers are encouraged to check conditions before departing.
The alert is especially relevant for early-shift workers, students, and long-distance commuters traveling through western and central Minnesota during the morning hours.
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