In a sure sign that winter has arrived, Minnesota has increased its weight limits for trucks in the southern part of the state.

According to the state's Department of Transportation, limits had already been raised in the northern part of the state, where colder temperatures had hardened highway sub-surfaces.

The winter load weight limits in Minnesota allow truckers to go 10 percent - or 8,000 pounds - over the normal limit on state highways and nine-ton county roads without a permit.

Permits are required for overweight trucks on the interstates.