Weather Related Announcements
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URGENT - WEATHER MESSAGE
National Weather Service La Crosse WI
Wed Feb 19 2025
Mitchell-Howard-Winneshiek-Floyd-Chickasaw-Fayette-Clayton-Dodge-
Olmsted-Mower-Fillmore-
Including the cities of Preston, Osage, Charles City, New
Hampton, Decorah, Cresco, Oelwein, Dodge Center, Rochester,
Austin, and Elkader
Wed Feb 19 2025
...COLD WEATHER ADVISORY REMAINS IN EFFECT UNTIL NOON CST TODAY...
...COLD WEATHER ADVISORY REMAINS IN EFFECT FROM 9 PM THIS EVENING TO
9 AM CST THURSDAY...
* WHAT...For the first Cold Weather Advisory, very cold wind chills
as low as 30 below. For the second Cold Weather Advisory, very
cold wind chills as low as 29 below expected.
* WHERE...Portions of north central and northeast Iowa and southeast
Minnesota.
* WHEN...For the first Cold Weather Advisory, until noon CST today.
For the second Cold Weather Advisory, from 9 PM this evening to 9
AM CST Thursday.
* IMPACTS...The dangerously cold wind chills as low as 30 below zero
could cause frostbite on exposed skin in as little as 30 minutes.
PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...
Use caution while traveling outside. Wear appropriate clothing, a
hat, and gloves.
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🚧 ROAD REPORT 🚧
All travelers are encouraged to monitor road conditions as weather conditions occur. For road information, call 511 from any type of phone or go to the Travel Information Map HERE Motorists should check surrounding states for their current road condition information.
The MNDOT works hard to keep travelers informed of road conditions. It’s important to remember that the conditions may vary from what is being reported. Statewide weather information can be found HERE.
The Minnesota Department of Transportation (MnDOT) uses the following terms to describe winter road conditions:
- Partially covered
- Up to 50% of the road is covered with ice, slush, sleet, or snow. Roads may be slick, snow packed, or have ruts. Lane markings may be hard to see.
- Completely covered
- The road is 100% covered with rain, frost, snow, slush, or a combination. This term is used when roads are covered with standing water, snow obscures lane markings, or driving is hazardous due to heavy snow, drifting snow, or freezing rain.
MnDOT also uses the following winter road maintenance terms:
- Deicing: Removing snow and ice from the road surface
- Anti-icing: Applying chemicals to prevent snow from bonding to the road surface
- Pre-wetting: Adding liquid brine to granular salt when applying it
- Stockpile pre-treatment: Adding liquid brine or deicer to granular salt while establishing a stockpile
To stay safe while driving in Minnesota during the winter, you can:
- Drive at safe speeds for the road conditions
- Allow extra time for travel
- Increase the distance between your vehicle and the one ahead
- Be extra careful when driving around snowplows, keeping at least five car-lengths behind them