On Friday, northwestern Minnesota was hit by the first major snowstorm of the 2016-2017 winter season.
The storm caused whiteout conditions and nearly 14 inches of snow in some regions.
Minnesota State Patrol issued warnings to travelers in the state, especially on busy routes such as Interstate 94. According to the Minneapolis Patch, nearly 340 crashes, 37 injuries, and two deaths were reported in a 12 hour time span.
The Minnesota State Patrol Twitter feed shared photos of several overturned and jackknifed tractor trailers.
Semi rollover: I-94WB between Albany & Freeport; no injuries. Be sure to drive according to weather conditions & use your headlights. #mnwx pic.twitter.com/dXz1ffIzK7
— MN State Patrol (@MnDPS_MSP) November 18, 2016
Conditions are getting worse in the St. Cloud area. Slow down, turn on your headlights and be safe. pic.twitter.com/YBqVb8npZV
— MN State Patrol (@MnDPS_MSP) November 18, 2016
The Minnesota State Patrol also reported that a trooper’s vehicle that was assisting with a crash on Interstate 94 was struck by a vehicle that spun-out.
(1/3) Trooper’s squad hit on I-94 near Alexandria. Trooper OK. Was sitting in squad at another incident when vehicle spun out & hit squad.
— MN State Patrol (@MnDPS_MSP) November 18, 2016
By late Friday evening, the snow had come to a stop and cleanup had begun.
Meteorologist predict that the storm will travel northeast, dropping up to a foot of lake-effect snow on northwestern New York and Pennsylvania between Saturday and Monday.
According to Accuweather.com, the snow storm in northeastern states will come to an end by Tuesday, but another snowstorm may hit the area again on Thanksgiving.