(Spirit Lake)– A whiteout Sunday evening took many motorists by surprise…sending some into ditches.
A reinforcing arctic cold front that brought snow showers and very strong wind resulted in whiteout conditions between about 6:00 p.m. and midnight.
Visibility in open areas was frequently reduced to nothing. Motorists who couldn’t see where they were going wound up in ditches. One of the worst areas was on Highway Nine between Spirit Lake and Estherville. Scores of vehicles were reported in ditches there. Sheriff’s deputies spent the better part of the evening plucking people out of the vehicles and taking them to safety. Fortunately, authorities say they were able to account for everyone and no serious injuries were reported.
A number of area Sheriff’s Offices, including Dickinson and Osceola, advised no travel for awhile Sunday evening due to the extreme conditions.
Visibility rapidly improved after midnight, but bitter cold remains. The National Weather Service says high temperatures today (Mon.) won’t get above zero, and will struggle to make the single digits Tuesday and Wednesday, with several inches of more snow possible Tuesday and again on Thursday.
