Winter storm: 253 crashes, 333 vehicles off road as Warning runs to 9 a.m.
A winter storm that prompted a Winter Storm Warning from 6 p.m. Tuesday to 9 a.m. Wednesday produced treacherous travel: the Minnesota State Patrol reported 253 property‑damage crashes, 30 injury crashes, 11 spinouts, 333 vehicles off the road and 30 jackknifed semis between noon Tuesday and 6 a.m. Wednesday. The Twin Cities saw roughly 3–5 inches of snow (locally higher in the north metro) with heavier 5–8"+ bands inland and gusts to 40–45 mph producing blowing snow and low visibility, leaving many roads snow/ice covered, slowing speeds, closing or delaying schools and complicating the Wednesday morning commute.
📌 Key Facts
- National Weather Service Winter Storm Warning was shifted earlier and ran from 6 p.m. Tuesday to 9 a.m. Wednesday for much of Minnesota, including the Twin Cities.
- Forecast snowfall: Twin Cities metro 3–5" (locally higher in the north metro); heavier 5–8+" bands favored across central/northern Minnesota (Alexandria/Brainerd/St. Cloud through Pine City into NW Wisconsin); parts of southern Minnesota expected 1–2".
- Precipitation timeline: rain during the evening commute switched to a wintry mix and then to steady snow late Tuesday night, with the worst travel conditions overnight; snow was expected to taper during the Wednesday morning commute but blustery conditions would persist.
- Strong winds — gusts up to roughly 40–45 mph — produced blowing snow and low visibility, contributing to hazardous travel and reduced speeds across many routes.
- Minnesota State Patrol reports (updated through the overnight period): by noon Tuesday–6 a.m. Wednesday there were 253 property‑damage crashes, 30 injury crashes, 11 spinouts, 333 vehicles off the road and 30 jackknifed semis; an earlier afternoon/evening update (noon–6:30 p.m. Dec. 9) had shown 130 property‑damage crashes, 12 injury crashes, 147 vehicles off the road, 6 spinouts and 4 jackknifed semis (no fatalities reported in that update).
- Road conditions and travel impacts: MnDOT 511 showed snow‑covered roads across northern Minnesota and slush/snow on many Twin Cities routes; as of early Wednesday most Twin Cities roads were listed as snow/ice covered with a dozen-plus active incidents; a west‑central no‑travel advisory was lifted though roads remained extremely slippery.
- Local responses and incidents: multiple cities enacted snow‑emergency/parking restrictions (Brooklyn Center, Crystal, Golden Valley), schools closed or delayed ahead of the holiday travel day, and notable crashes included a five‑vehicle wreck on I‑94 at Hwy 25 in Monticello that spilled cargo and briefly closed the interstate.
- Observed and short‑term outlook: city snow reports included Coon Rapids 4.6", Rosemount 4.6", St. Stephen 4.5", Ramsey 4.5", Buffalo 3.4", Eden Prairie 3", Burnsville 3"; light snow/flurries were expected to return later Tuesday night into early Wednesday possibly complicating the morning commute, with colder temperatures and a chance of another round of snow later in the week/weekend.
📊 Relevant Data
Snow emergency fines and fees in Minneapolis disproportionately affect low-income, non-English speaking residents of color.
When snow falls, money flows ... from those who can afford it the least — MinnPost
In a recent snow emergency in Minneapolis, there were 4,615 snow emergency-related towings, generating nearly $1 million in fines and fees.
When snow falls, money flows ... from those who can afford it the least — MinnPost
📰 Sources (7)
Minnesota weather: Snow totals so far, light snow expected overnight
New information:
- City-specific snow totals reported: Coon Rapids 4.6", Rosemount 4.6", St. Stephen 4.5", Ramsey 4.5", Buffalo 3.4", Eden Prairie 3", Burnsville 3"
- Forecast update: light snow/flurries expected to return later Tuesday night into early Wednesday, likely complicating the morning commute
- Status update: brief lull in snowfall Tuesday evening with temperatures ticking up before the next band arrives
MN weather: Hundreds of crashes during Tuesday winter storm
New information:
- State Patrol update for noon–6:30 p.m. Dec. 9: 130 property-damage crashes, 12 injury crashes, 147 vehicles off the road, 6 spinouts, 4 jackknifed semis, no fatalities.
- Five-vehicle crash (4 semis, 1 car) on I-94 at Hwy 25 in Monticello spilled pasta onto the roadway; the car driver had a minor injury and the interstate briefly closed for cleanup.
- Brooklyn Center declared a snow emergency starting 10 p.m. Dec. 9 (no on-street parking until plowed curb-to-curb).
- Crystal declared a snow emergency beginning 12:01 a.m. Dec. 10.
- Golden Valley reiterated winter parking restrictions (no parking 2–6 a.m.) and said street plowing would begin at 4 a.m. Wednesday, Dec. 10.
MN weather: Snowy roads lead to 253 crashes, 333 vehicles off the road
New information:
- Minnesota State Patrol (noon Tue–6 a.m. Wed): 253 property-damage crashes, 30 injury crashes, 11 spinouts, 333 vehicles off the road, and 30 jackknifed semis.
- As of 6 a.m. Wednesday, most Twin Cities roads listed by MnDOT as snow/ice covered; speeds reduced with a dozen-plus active incidents.
- No-travel advisory in west-central Minnesota was lifted, but State Patrol says roads there remain extremely slippery.
- Snow tapering Wednesday morning, but blustery conditions could cause blowing snow; Winter Storm Warning in effect until 9 a.m. for much of Minnesota including the Twin Cities.
MN weather: Snow ends Wednesday morning; quiet and cold Thanksgiving
New information:
- Snow is expected to taper off toward the end of the Wednesday morning commute, but blustery conditions will persist.
- Twin Cities forecast specifics: Wednesday high near 29°F (low ~21°F) with gusts possibly topping 40 mph.
- Thanksgiving outlook: partly sunny, breezy, less windy than Wednesday; high ~27°F, low ~15°F.
- Colder turn this weekend with highs dipping into the teens Sunday and Monday; potential for another round of snow this weekend.
- Road conditions will improve through Wednesday but many routes remain partially or fully covered during a busy travel day.
LIVE UPDATES: Minnesota snowstorm closes schools, causes slippery road conditions
New information:
- Observed conditions: As of ~1:30 a.m. Wed., MnDOT 511 shows snow‑covered roads across northern Minnesota and slush/snow on many Twin Cities routes.
- School impacts: Some Minnesota schools are closed or on delayed starts the day before Thanksgiving.
- Precipitation changeover: Rain changed to a wintry mix and then snow late Tuesday night in the Twin Cities.
- Updated snowfall ranges reiterated: 3–5" for the Twin Cities (locally higher in the north metro); 5–8"+ for central/northern MN; 1–2" for parts of southern MN.
Minnesota weather: Here's what to expect for Tuesday, early Wednesday's winter storm
New information:
- Warning window specified as 6 p.m. Tuesday to 9 a.m. Wednesday (earlier start than prior 9 p.m. guidance).
- Metro snowfall forecast refined to 3–5 inches, with northern metro potentially higher.
- Wind gusts could reach up to 45 mph, creating blowing snow and low visibility.
- Heavier bands (5–8+ inches) favored for central/northern MN from Alexandria/Brainerd/St. Cloud through Pine City into NW Wisconsin.
- Timeline detail: rain during the evening commute in the metro changing to snow as temperatures fall, with the worst travel conditions overnight.