A winter storm hits the north central United States

Fargo, North Dakota – A severe winter storm hit the north-central United States on Thursday with heavy snow and intense winds, thwarting travel around Christmas time, when many people were on the road to see their families, despite the risk of coronavirus.

The storm started in eastern Dakota and western Minnesota on Wednesday and moved east on Thursday.

Meteorologists warned the public, noting that the temperature would drop to minus 37 degrees Celsius (minus 35 Fahrenheit) with wind speeds of up to 60 miles per hour (97 kilometers per hour).

There were calls to the community to avoid traffic, and several roads were closed as a precaution.

The storm was centered in southeastern Minnesota and was expected to hit Eau Claire, Wisconsin and northern Michigan. The heaviest snowfall was in northeastern Minnesota and eastern South Dakota.