By Albert Lea Tribune and Associated Press

A winter storm blew into the Albert Lea area overnight, covering up any progress homeowners made at scooping snow and slush from the sidewalks over the weekend.

Fortunately for Albert Leans, the worst of the storm passed to the north.

Rain and drizzle fell in Albert Lea on Sunday, bringing a half inch to a drought-stricken land, according to the automated weather station at the Albert Lea Municipal Airport. The air temperature reached 39 degrees, turning what had been a sheet of ice across the land into slush and water.

With the frozen ground, it remains unclear what help any precipitation will bring for subsoil moisture, a critical part of growing healthy crops.

A winter storm warning came to an end at noon today. Though drifting made true measurements difficult, Albert Lea received about a half inch of snow, according to KATE Radio.

New Richland-Hartland-Ellendale-Geneva schools started two hours late today.

Albert Lea still expected to have light snow and areas of blowing snow this afternoon, with winds 20 to 30 mph.

Blizzard conditions were in effect for western Minnesota.

The Minnesota Department of Transportation advised no travel in west-central Minnesota. The no travel advisory includes Becker, Big Stone, Clay, Douglas, Grant, Mahnomen, Otter Tail, Pope, Stevens, Swift, Traverse and Wilkin counties.

There are multiple reports of crashes and slide-offs on Interstate 94 between Alexandria and Fergus Falls and beyond.

Some parts of northern Minnesota were expected to see up to a foot of snow. Visibility in Duluth was less than a block at one point. Police in St. Cloud were advising motorists to stay off roads. Blizzard warnings will be in effect Sunday night through Monday morning in some areas.

Several cities declared snow emergencies, including Minneapolis and St. Paul.

MnDOT closed highways in western Minnesota due to hazardous road conditions, including Interstate 94 from Moorhead to Alexandria.Highway 10 from Moorhead to Audubon and Highway 210 from Breckenridge to Fergus Falls are also being closed due to near-zero visibility.

The highways were closed until further notice. Motorists were advised not to travel until conditions improve.

Freezing rain, sleet and snow created difficult driving conditions in the Twin Cities and canceled dozens of flights to and from the Minneapolis-St. Paul International Airport.

National Weather Service meteorologist Shawn DeVinny said the area was in the middle of a complicated weather system that had been expected to last through this morning.

Northern Minnesota could see up to 12 inches by the time the system has moved through.

Airport spokesman Pat Hogan said that as of Sunday morning, more than 50 flights had already been canceled.