Minneapolis declares Dec. 28–30 snow emergency with three-day parking rules
Minneapolis has declared a Snow Emergency beginning at 9 p.m. Sunday, Dec. 28, ahead of a storm expected to drop 4–7 inches, and will impose a three-day parking schedule: Day 1 — no parking on either side of Snow Emergency routes from 9 p.m. Dec. 28–8 a.m. Dec. 29; Day 2 — no parking on even sides of non-Snow Emergency routes and both sides of parkways from 8 a.m.–8 p.m. Dec. 29; Day 3 — no parking on odd sides of non-Snow Emergency routes from 8 a.m.–8 p.m. Dec. 30. Several Twin Cities suburbs, including New Hope, West St. Paul, Eden Prairie, St. Louis Park, Bloomington, Crystal, Elk River and St. James, have also declared snow emergencies, and the same storm prompted a ground delay program at Minneapolis–Saint Paul International Airport.
📌 Key Facts
- Minneapolis declared a Snow Emergency beginning 9 p.m. Sunday, Dec. 28, in response to a winter storm expected to drop 4–7 inches of snow.
- The Snow Emergency includes three-day parking rules running Dec. 28–30 to facilitate snow removal.
- Day 1 parking ban: both sides of Snow Emergency routes from 9 p.m. Dec. 28–8 a.m. Dec. 29.
- Day 2 and Day 3 parking bans: Day 2 (8 a.m.–8 p.m. Dec. 29) bans parking on even sides of non‑Snow Emergency routes and both sides of parkways; Day 3 (8 a.m.–8 p.m. Dec. 30) bans parking on odd sides of non‑Snow Emergency routes.
- Multiple Twin Cities suburbs — including New Hope, West St. Paul, Eden Prairie, St. Louis Park, Bloomington, Crystal, Elk River and St. James — also declared snow emergencies tied to the same storm.
- The storm has already triggered a ground delay program at Minneapolis–Saint Paul International Airport because of difficult travel conditions across southern Minnesota.
📊 Relevant Data
The City of Minneapolis has an average annual budget of $13 million for snow and ice control, which is utilized even in winters with below-average snowfall.
Winter Weather & Snow Emergencies — City of Minneapolis
Frequent and intense storms are occurring more often in Minnesota than at any time on record, with the trend projected to continue due to climate change.
Climate change impacts — Minnesota Pollution Control Agency
In recent decades, winter warming in Minnesota has accelerated significantly, with average daily low temperatures in winter rising over 15 times faster than summer high temperatures.
Climate Change in Minnesota — UMN Climate Adaptation Partnership
During a 2023 snow emergency in Minneapolis, the majority of the 4,615 tows occurred in lower-income neighborhoods, highlighting an economic burden on those who can least afford it.
When snow falls, money flows ... from those who can afford it the least — MinnPost
📰 Source Timeline (2)
Follow how coverage of this story developed over time
- Confirms a specific Snow Emergency beginning at 9 p.m. Sunday, Dec. 28, in response to a winter storm expected to drop 4–7 inches of snow on Minneapolis.
- Details the exact three-day parking schedule: Day 1 ban on both sides of Snow Emergency routes 9 p.m. Dec. 28–8 a.m. Dec. 29; Day 2 ban on even sides of non-Snow Emergency routes and both sides of parkways 8 a.m.–8 p.m. Dec. 29; Day 3 ban on odd sides of non-Snow Emergency routes 8 a.m.–8 p.m. Dec. 30.
- Notes that multiple other Twin Cities suburbs (including New Hope, West St. Paul, Eden Prairie, St. Louis Park, Bloomington, Crystal, Elk River and St. James) have also declared snow emergencies tied to the same storm.
- Reports that the same storm has already caused a ground delay program at Minneapolis–Saint Paul International Airport due to difficult travel conditions across southern Minnesota.