Cars in the ditches, white-knuckle driving, zero visibility, schools canceled and more. It was a typical Monday in the Albert Lea area.

It seems all the storms recently have been striking on Mondays. This one brought 8 inches of snow in the span between Sunday night and this morning.

Albert Lea, St. Theodore Catholic and Hollandale Christian schools were closed today and Monday because of the snowstorm. Alden-Conger, United South Central, Austin, Lake Mills and Northwood-Kensett canceled classes, too.

New Richland-Hartland-Ellendale-Geneva and Glenville-Emmons school districts were closed, too.

A winter storm warning remained in effect until noon today.

Interstate 35 closed at various times on Monday because of automobile wrecks. Most notably, around 1:20 p.m. Monday near Clarks Grove, the left lane closed on northbound Interstate 35 at Highway 251 because of a rollover involving a cattle hauler. There were multiple cars affected by the rollover. Reports said cattle were on the freeway. The route reopened shortly before 4 p.m.

Southbound I-35 near Exit 8 — the junction with U.S. Highway 65 — closed temporarily Monday morning because of numerous accidents.

Interstate 90 between Albert Lea and South Dakota did not close, despite a report saying it had.

Nonetheless, it was a hectic day for many people. People were stuck in their driveways. Others were happy to stay home. Children enjoyed the snow.

After the winter storm warning lifts at noon today, light snow is expected to continue to fall. And blow. The wind is forecast to be about 20 mph.

The forecast for Wednesday calls for mostly sunny skies, with a high near 15. Perhaps then children can attend school and catch up on their lessons.