The Truckin' America Snow Desk Report

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Weather Related Announcements

None At This Time

🚧 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


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