Snowstorm hits Twin Cities: roads snow‑covered; early totals and school delays
A fast‑moving winter storm left many Twin Cities roads snow‑covered early Wednesday, with MnDOT reporting dozens of plows working and dozens of schools closed or opening late. Early totals ranged from about 2.8 inches in Chanhassen to 6.9 inches in Cambridge (MSP Airport ~3.4"), and winter storm warnings/advisories remain in effect with gusty winds and heavy snow rates possible overnight, prompting NWS to advise avoiding nonessential travel.
📌 Key Facts
- NWS issued a Winter Storm Warning for the Twin Cities (9 p.m. Tuesday–9 a.m. Wednesday); areas north of I‑94 were warned for higher totals, a Winter Weather Advisory ran along/just south of I‑94, and southern Minnesota was under a Winter Storm Watch.
- Forecasts for the metro were updated to about 1–4 inches, with higher totals (roughly 4–7/8 inches) north of I‑94 and the potential for heavy snowfall rates up to ~1 inch per hour in bursts.
- Strong winds were expected — SW 20–40 mph turning NW after 6 p.m., with gusts approaching 45–50+ mph — raising blowing‑snow and possible ground‑blizzard concerns in parts of southern Minnesota.
- Timing: flurries arrived late morning; main snow/wintry mix from about noon–6 p.m. (roughly 1–3"), a rainy mix changing to snow 6 p.m.–midnight (~1"), then a gusty wrap‑up midnight–9 a.m. Wednesday (~1"); most accumulation fell before about 9–10 p.m. Tuesday and light snow was winding down before the Wednesday morning commute.
- Roads: MnDOT reported many Twin Cities roads snow‑covered by about 3:30 a.m. with dozens of plows operating; earlier reports noted mixed conditions (snow/slush/ice/frost and slick spots) in several southern and western locations.
- Early reported snow totals (as of midnight/early Wednesday): Cambridge 6.9", North Branch 6.0", Golden Valley 5.3", Coon Rapids 4.6", MSP Airport 3.4", Chanhassen 2.8".
- Impact and advice: Dozens of schools were closed or opening late as of 3 a.m. Wednesday; NWS and local agencies urged avoiding non‑essential travel Tuesday night through Wednesday morning, calling the evening commute likely 'messy' and recommending travel windows of Tuesday morning or Wednesday afternoon when possible.
- Precipitation pattern and geography: forecasters highlighted a west–east band most likely to produce accumulations from Marshall/Redwood Falls toward Mankato, Faribault and Rochester, with a split between heavier snow north of the metro and a rain/freezing‑rain/wintry mix in and west‑southwest of the Twin Cities.
📊 Relevant Data
The average snowfall for December in Minneapolis is 11.4 inches.
Average Snowfall for Minnesota in December — Current Results
In 2022, Minnesota recorded 66 fatal traffic crashes during the winter months of December, January, and February, compared to 141 during the summer months of June, July, and August.
2022 Crash Facts — Minnesota Department of Public Safety
Only 19% of fatal crashes in Minnesota in 2022 occurred on wet, snowy, or icy roads.
2022 Crash Facts — Minnesota Department of Public Safety
Minnesota school boards' annual calendars must include at least 165 days of instruction for students in grades 1 through 11 unless a four-day week schedule has been approved.
Sec. 120A.41 MN Statutes — Minnesota Revisor of Statutes
📰 Sources (8)
LIVE UPDATES | Minnesota weather: Light snow early Wednesday; snow covered roads
New information:
- Light snow is winding down before the bulk of the Wednesday morning commute; most accumulation occurred before 9–10 p.m. Tuesday.
- MnDOT reports many Twin Cities roads are snow covered as of 3:30 a.m., with dozens of plows operating.
- Early snow totals: Cambridge 6.9", North Branch 6.0", Golden Valley 5.3", Coon Rapids 4.6", MSP Airport 3.4" (as of midnight), Chanhassen 2.8".
- Dozens of schools are closed or opening late as of 3 a.m. Wednesday.
LIVE UPDATES | Minnesota weather: Light snow leaves slick roads ahead of winter storm
New information:
- As of 7 a.m., MnDOT reports mixed road conditions (snow/slush/ice/frost) with a few crashes in the metro and greater Minnesota.
- Refined timeline: snow to wintry mix arrives noon–6 p.m. Tuesday (1–3"), rainy mix to snow 6 p.m.–midnight (~1"), lingering snow/gusts to 45+ mph midnight–9 a.m. Wednesday (~1").
- Twin Cities accumulation now pegged at 1–4"; winter storm warning area north of I-94 forecast 4–7"; winter weather advisory along/just south of I-94; southern Minnesota under winter storm watch with high winds and possible ground blizzard.
- Temperatures expected to peak near 34°F around 9 p.m. Tuesday with rain/snow line fluctuations; evening commute likely messy with worsening conditions into Tuesday night.
Minnesota weather: What to expect with Tuesday's winter storm
New information:
- Updated metro snowfall forecast: Twin Cities now projected at 1–4 inches (previous guidance cited higher local totals).
- Winter Storm Warning specified for areas north of I-94; Winter Weather Advisory along and just south of I-94; southern MN under a Winter Storm Watch.
- Detailed timeline: quiet/misty morning; noon–6 p.m. snow to wintry mix with 1–3 inches, 6 p.m.–midnight rainy mix to snow (~1 inch), midnight–9 a.m. gusty wrap‑up (~1 inch).
- Wind gusts could exceed 45 mph late Tuesday night into Wednesday morning, raising blowing snow/ground blizzard concerns in southern MN.
- Evening commute flagged as 'messy' due to mix and changing precipitation types.
MN weather: Tracking snow, freezing rain on Tuesday
New information:
- Forecast details a SW wind 20–40 mph turning NW after 6 p.m. with gusts approaching 50 mph.
- Precipitation split: potential burst of heavy snow north of the metro; rain/freezing rain/wintry mix in and west–southwest of the metro.
- Geography of alerts: majority of Minnesota in a Winter Weather Advisory; north metro into north‑central Minnesota in a Winter Storm Warning.
- Timeline specifics: flurries arrive late morning from western Minnesota; snow tapers late Tuesday with spotty overnight flurries.
Winter storm warning goes into effect for Twin Cities late Tuesday
New information:
- NWS Twin Cities has now issued a Winter Storm Warning for the Twin Cities from 9 p.m. Tuesday to 9 a.m. Wednesday.
- Forecast snowfall for the metro increased to 4–8 inches, with heavy rates near 1 inch/hour possible.
- NWS advises avoiding non‑essential travel Tuesday night through Wednesday morning; best windows are Tuesday morning or Wednesday afternoon.
Road conditions: Rainy mix could create some slick spots in southern MN
New information:
- As of 5:45 a.m., MnDOT reported light slush, damp pavement and slick spots east of Norwood Young America, south of Hutchinson, and near Olivia.
- Precipitation reached as far north as Jordan–Lakeville–Hastings, brushing the southern Twin Cities metro; no crashes reported so far.
- System expected to shift east by mid to late morning, leaving a mostly dry remainder of the day.
Minnesota weather: Winter weather advisory, slushy start Tuesday morning
New information:
- MnDOT says crews will stay ready and monitor roads overnight and into Tuesday morning, though full plowing is likely not needed yet.
- Forecast pinpoints a west–east band most likely for accumulation from Marshall/Redwood Falls toward Mankato, Faribault and Rochester.