U.S. snowstorm whips Midwest, causes hundreds of car crashes

U.S. snowstorm whips Midwest, causes hundreds of car crashes

A powerful snowstorm hit the U.S. Midwest this weekend and caused hundreds of vehicular accidents in Minnesota. Two people were killed in Wisconsin due to the same adverse weather situation. Heavy snowfall was recorded at the Twin Cities metropolitan area on Saturday evening causing power interruptions and downing several trees. “Rapidly deteriorating road conditions” in Bayfield County in Wisconsin led to the deaths of both drivers of two vehicles which collided with each other, the sheriff’s department said.

The 400 crashes in Minnesota resulted to 45 injuries to drivers and passengers, according to the Minnesota State Patrol. No major injuries or deaths have been reported. Many of the crashes involved more than two vehicles. Police said there were no reckless drivers but the slippery road conditions and poor visibility caused the majority of the accidents.

About 11 inches of snow was recorded in Eden Prairie and about ten inches in Mankato and Forest Lake areas. The heavy snowfall caused the postponement of the football game between Minnesota State — Mankato and Minnesota Duluth. The game between Carleton College and Gustavus Adolphus College was likewise postponed.

The snowstorm is predicted to weaken by the end of the weekend. The forecast for Bayfield and Ashland counties was 4 to 6 inches of snow by Sunday. Meteorologists also say that north, central and western parts of Wisconsin would experience about an inch of snowfall. They added that most of the snow would melt quickly because the ground was still warm due to warmer conditions before the storm.

Posted by Sophia Andrews on Sunday November 14 2010, 5:25 PM EST. Ref: Yahoo News. All trademarks acknowledged. Filed under Featured News, Travel. Comments and Trackbacks closed. Follow responses: RSS 2.0