The National Weather Service offices in Sioux Falls and Chanhassen have issued a blizzard warning for a large swath of southern Minnesota and northwest Iowa. That includes Cottonwood, Jackson, Watonwan and Murray counties.
The warning goes into effect at 7 p.m. tonight and continues until noon Wednesday.
The forecast is calling for 1-3 inches of snowfall, with locally heavy amounts. However, current rainfall is expected to freeze, creating a glaze over roads, and wind gusts up to 60 miles per hour will create potential whiteout conditions.
A high wind warning also is in effect into Wednesday morning.
Schools to the west of the area have started closing for the day, with Red Rock Central dismissing students at 2:30 p.m. today.
