A major interstate connecting southern Minnesota and Iowa was reopened Friday morning after several inches of snow and strong winds forced its closure, officials said.
Interstate 35 from Albert Lea to the Iowa border had been closed since 2 p.m. Thursday, due to numerous vehicle crashes and at the request of Iowa transportation officials.
The interstate is also reopened now from the Minnesota-Iowa border south to Ames.
Driving conditions Friday morning in southern Minnesota are being characterized as fair, but state transportation officials said in a statement that "motorists should still use extreme caution when traveling" as the weekend before Christmas approaches.
There are no weather-related road closures at this time in southeastern Minnesota, which is where the blizzard-like conditions were there strongest Thursday in the state.
Paul Walsh 612-673-4482
