An early-season winter storm prompted a no-travel advisory in west-central Minnesota late Tuesday as snow and gusty winds moved across the region. With holiday traffic ramping up, transportation agencies are urging professional and passenger drivers to monitor conditions, use official road tools, and expect slower operations as winter weather sets in.
Storm impacts in the Upper Midwest
Authorities in west-central Minnesota issued a no-travel advisory late Tuesday afternoon amid deteriorating conditions. The storm marks the state’s first widespread snowfall of the season, and local towing operators said they were preparing for a busy stretch as snow and wind reduce visibility and traction.
State tools and winter operations resources
State and local transportation departments are deploying plows and sharing real-time condition updates as winter operations ramp up. The Michigan Department of Transportation, along with numerous municipalities, provides online maps showing plow locations and roadway status to assist commuters and holiday travelers.
In Maine, the State Police, AAA, the Maine Turnpike Authority, and state transportation officials launched a winter driving awareness effort on Monday, emphasizing preparation as snow and ice return.
Research and recent safety reminders
Winter weather can magnify risks on curves, bridges, and higher-speed corridors. A study published in the Transportation Research Record reported that dynamic signs “had a significant speed reduction effect for drivers approaching the curve during winter weather conditions,” indicating potential safety benefits for targeted warnings in low-friction environments.
Separately, the Ohio Department of Transportation released footage showing a truck striking overhead signage and stopping shortly afterward, underscoring how visibility, surface conditions, and driver workload can converge during adverse weather.
Regulatory note: FMCSA ELD removals
The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration has removed five additional electronic logging devices from its list of registered ELDs. FMCSA maintains the official registry and periodically adds or removes devices based on compliance with technical specifications. Carriers and drivers can verify device status on the agency’s ELD registration list.