April 13, 2018 10:26 PM
Minnesotans should expect to have to dig themselves out after significant snow that is expected Friday night and Saturday, according to KSTP Meteorologist Nicole Mitchell.
Rain made its way through the state Friday afternoon, turning into snow as temperatures dropped in the evening.
Mitchell said the snow is expected to continually fall overnight Friday and into Saturday. In the metro, there should be 2 to 3 inches by the morning, and starting at noon Saturday a heavier load of 5 to 7 inches will begin to fall.
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Because of the snow, a winter storm and blizzard warning have been issued for several Minnesota and Wisconsin counties.
The Minnesota counties impacted by the winter storm warning include Anoka, Benton, Carver, Chisago, Dakota, Hennepin, Isanti, McLeod, Meeker, Nicollet, Ramsey, Scott, Sherburne, Sibley, Stearns, Washington and Wright counties.
The counties in Wisconsin include Barron, Chippewa, Dunn, Eau Claire, Pepin, Pierce, Polk, Rusk and St. Croix counties.
The warning is in effect from 1 a.m. Saturday to 1 a.m. Sunday.
The forecast for this very large winter storm remains on track. Here is the latest: pic.twitter.com/CyUMpXjhk2
— NWS Twin Cities (@NWSTwinCities) April 13, 2018
The Minnesota counties impacted by the blizzard warning include Stevens, Pope, Lac Qui Parle, Swift, Chippewa, Kandiyohi, Yellow Medicine, Renville, Redwood, Brown, Watonwan and Martin counties.
According to Mitchell, the Twin Cities could see between 8 to 12 inches of snow. The areas under the blizzard warning could see over a foot of snow.
The significant snowfall caused a number of schools to cancel activities over the weekend, including ACT testing and proms.
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The Minnesota Department of Transportation announced Tuesday that plows will be working around the clock to clear roads.
MnDOT asked motorists to give plow drivers plenty of room while on the road.
The State Patrol and MnDOT urged those who plan to drive to check road conditions before leaving home.
As of 9 p.m. Friday, roads in western Minnesota were either partially or fully covered by snow, according to MnDOT.
#MSPNumbers Statewide 12am thru 8:30 pm 4/13/18: 99 crashes (12 with injury, 0 serious/fatal) & 52 veh spin out/off road & 5 jackknifed semis. Next crash update 4/14/18 at 10am.
— State Patrol PIO (@MSPPIO) April 14, 2018
The Minnesota State State Patrol reported a total of 99 crashes statewide as of 8:30 p.m. Friday. There was total of 52 vehicle spinouts, or vehicles that went off the road.
Mitchell said the snow should taper off through the day Sunday.
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Updated: April 13, 2018 10:26 PM
Created: April 13, 2018 08:19 PM
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