Winter storm: 253 crashes, 333 vehicles off road as Warning runs to 9 a.m.
A winter storm warning in effect from 6 p.m. Tuesday to 9 a.m. Wednesday across much of Minnesota, including the Twin Cities, brought a metro forecast of 3–5 inches (locally higher in the north metro) with heavier 5–8+ inch bands possible in central and northern areas, a rain-to-snow changeover during the evening commute, and gusts up to 40–45 mph causing blowing snow and poor visibility. By early Wednesday, the Minnesota State Patrol reported 253 property‑damage crashes (including 30 injury crashes), 11 spinouts, 30 jackknifed semis and 333 vehicles off the road, while MnDOT listed most Twin Cities routes as snow/ice covered with reduced speeds and active incidents. Snow is expected to taper during the Wednesday morning commute, but blustery conditions could keep travel hazardous.
📌 Key Facts
- A Winter Storm Warning ran from 6 p.m. Tuesday to 9 a.m. Wednesday (earlier start than prior guidance).
- Forecast totals: Twin Cities metro 3–5 inches (locally higher in the north metro); central/northern Minnesota favored for 5–8+ inches (Alexandria/Brainerd/St. Cloud through Pine City into NW Wisconsin); parts of southern Minnesota around 1–2 inches.
- Precipitation timeline: rain during the evening commute changed to a wintry mix and then snow late Tuesday night, with the worst travel overnight; snow was expected to taper by the end of the Wednesday morning commute though blustery conditions and blowing snow could continue.
- Strong winds were expected, with gusts around 40–45 mph, producing blowing snow and periods of low visibility.
- Road conditions and incidents: MnDOT reported snow‑covered and slushy roads across northern Minnesota and many Twin Cities routes, reduced speeds and a dozen-plus active incidents as of 6 a.m. Wednesday.
- Minnesota State Patrol (noon Tuesday–6 a.m. Wednesday) reported 253 property‑damage crashes, 30 injury crashes, 11 spinouts, 333 vehicles off the road, and 30 jackknifed semis.
- Some Minnesota schools were closed or on delayed starts the day before Thanksgiving; officials warned many routes would remain partially or fully covered during a busy travel day even as conditions improved through Wednesday.
- A no-travel advisory in west‑central Minnesota was lifted but roads there remained extremely slippery; a colder pattern was forecast for the weekend (highs dipping into the teens) with the potential for another round of snow, while Thanksgiving was expected to be partly sunny, breezy and colder (highs in the mid-to-upper 20s).
📊 Relevant Data
Indigenous people make up 0.9% of the state’s population. However, they were involved in 3.5% of fatal vehicle crashes between 2015 and 2019.
Race and Transportation Trend Analysis — Minnesota GO
In Minneapolis Public Schools, attendance rates for Black students dropped from 71% to 32% between 2019 and 2022.
The Alarming Rise of Chronic Absenteeism in Middle and High School Students — Minnesota Alliance With Youth
In Minneapolis Public Schools, attendance rates for Native American students dropped from 44% to 24% between 2019 and 2022.
The Alarming Rise of Chronic Absenteeism in Middle and High School Students — Minnesota Alliance With Youth
Students from low-income backgrounds, communities of color, and those with disabilities are disproportionately affected by chronic absenteeism.
The Alarming Rise of Chronic Absenteeism in Middle and High School Students — Minnesota Alliance With Youth
Black and Hispanic Americans have higher traffic fatality rates per mile traveled than White Americans across the transportation system.
Disparities in Activity and Traffic Fatalities by Race/Ethnicity — NACTO
📰 Sources (5)
- 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.
- 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.
- 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.
- 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.