Ferocious winter storm paralyzes USA's Midwest

A ferocious winter storm tore through the Midwest over the weekend, delaying flights, closing highways and, on Sunday, triggering the collapse of the Minneapolis Metrodome's inflatable roof.

Wicked weather swept through the high plains Saturday, closing interstates in Iowa and South Dakota, stranding travelers in airports and pummeling some cities so hard that officials pulled in their snowplows, declaring the fight futile, Los Angeles Times reports.

Major highways and streets were mostly clear Sunday in the wake of a weekend storm that brought 17.1 inches of snow to the Twin Cities and 26 to Winona 10 days before the official start of winter. But Minnesota Department of Transportation officials warned that roads may be icy Monday because Sunday's bright sun and salt melted some of that snow, which was likely to refreeze overnight.

"The salt is just not cutting it," said MnDOT metro spokesman Kevin Walker. "We're expecting a rather slow commute" Monday, according to Minneapolis Star Tribune.