Stearns County In Blizzard Warning, Benton and Sherburne In Winter Weather Advisory

UNDATED - The National Weather Service has issued a Blizzard warning for several counties, including Stearns County, from 11:00 a.m Wednesday until 3:00 a.m. Thursday.

Visibility is expected to be reduced a quarter-mile or less, with whiteout conditions at times.  Northwest winds will be between 25 and 35 miles an hour, with some gusts as high as 50 miles an hour.

The blowing snow may also create large drifts over the roadways.  Due to the snowpack, some drifts could be as high as three feet in open areas.  This could make travel nearly impossible in some parts of the state.

The Winter Weather Advisory for Benton and Sherburne Counties, as well as other areas to the east, will be in effect for the same time period from 11:00 a.m. Wednesday through 3:00 a.m. Thursday.