ROSEVILLE, Minn. — It's the night before Christmas Eve, and the parking lot at Rosedale Center sits nearly empty.
It's a big difference from neighboring Target, where people like Griffin Gunderson, who works at the store, can be seen brushing snow off of his car.
"I did not expect it to be this bad,” says Gunderson.
People made their way out of the store, with carts filled for last minute holiday shopping.
"I picked up a yoga mat for my sister. She just got back from Tanzania in Africa,” says Diane Hawkinson.
Shoppers like Hawkinson, a lifelong Minnesotan, say they're braving the storm as strong wind gusts and blizzard conditions pummel the region.
"I was born and raised in Minnesota, love it here and the cold doesn't bother me,” says Hawkinson. "I'm very used to this,” says shopper, Kevin Gibbons. “We got kind of lucky up until today."
Road conditions continue to deteriorate throughout the day and night, with low visibility on roads and some interstates. "I don't know about a divine power, but if there is one they kind of threw it at me today,” says Gibbons.
People heading out for a few last minute gifts have some advice for others venturing out during the storm. “My advice is just to drive slow and just be extra cautious,” says Hawkinson.