Freeborn County came to a near stand-still Saturday as a blizzard gripped the area.

Total accumulations Sunday morning measured about 7 1/2 inches, although drifts up to 2 feet or more were measured in some spots.

Areas to the north got even more snow, as Rochester reportedly received 15 inches and the Twin Cities 16 inches. The Minnesota Vikings football game was postponed to Monday due to excessive snow collapsing the roof of the Metrodome.

Schools across much of the region are starting late today. In the Tribune coverage area, the schools for Albert Lea, St. Theodore, Hollandale Christian, Alden-Conger, Lake Mills, Northwood-Kensett, New Richland-Hartland-Ellendale-Geneva, Glenville-Emmons and United South Central all will begin classes two hours late.

Although the snow subsided Sunday morning, the National Weather Service issued a wind chill advisory for Albert Lea from 9 a.m. until noon due to high winds making cold temperatures feel even colder. At 8 a.m., temps measured 4 degrees below at the Albert Lea Airport with the wind chill at 25 degrees below. Winds from the northwest measured 16 mph with gusts of 23 mph. Higher winds were expected through the morning.

The storm started blowing in Friday night, bringing with it freezing rain, which turned to sleet and then snow by Saturday morning.

By 3 p.m. Saturday, the storm had already brought about 4 inches of snow to Albert Lea. North winds of 25 mph and gusts clocking in at 32 mph made the 19-degree temperature feel like 1 degree. Visibility at that time was one mile.

By 7 p.m., about 6 1/4 inches of snow blanketed Albert Lea. North winds of 26 mph and gusts clocking in at 54 mph made the 16-degree temperature feel like zero. Visibility at that time was a quarter of a mile.

The high winds paired with light snow Saturday morning caused limited visibility, making travel nearly impossible across southern and central Minnesota, northern Iowa and parts of South Dakota.

Minnesota Department of Transportation issued a no-travel advisory Saturday morning and around 10:30 a.m., closed Interstate 90 west of the I-35 junction in Albert Lea all the way to the South Dakota border.

By afternoon, travel was not advised on U.S. Highway 65 or 69 due to heavy snow and winds, which caused reduced visibility and whiteout conditions in some areas.

Drivers were cautioned taking I-35 south as roads were 100 percent covered with mixed snow, ice and slush.

Several activities were also canceled due to treacherous traveling conditions, including several sporting events, Saturday services at Salem Lutheran in Lake Mills, Iowa, and Sunday services at St. Paul’s Lutheran in Hollandale.

Even the Salvation Army bell ringers in Freeborn County were pulled from their duties.

I-90 re-opened at 2:15 p.m. Sunday, according to an MnDOT news release.

MnDOT reminded the public that it is unlawful to push snow onto highways or streets. It can create road hazards.

[nggallery id=26]