Snowfall latest: Heavy snow hits southern Minnesota, metro area

ROAD CONDITIONS

MnDOT reports road conditions have been deteriorating across southwest and south-central Minnesota as snow moves into the state.

Travel will become increasingly difficult through Friday afternoon and evening.

In addition to heavy snowfall in parts of the state, the National Weather Service reports blowing snow could significantly reduce visibility.

The NWS advises those who must travel Friday to keep an extra flashlight, food and water in their vehicles in case of an emergency.

Find additional preparedness tips via KSTP’s complete winter weather guide here.

Between 6 a.m. and 9 p.m. Friday, the Minnesota State Patrol reported 232 crashes statewide, 19 with injuries, 134 vehicles off road and 14 jackknifed semis.

Between 4 and 9 p.m. alone, there were 96 crashes and 86 vehicles off road.

That included an incident on southbound Interstate 35 near Faribault, which was closed for several hours Friday due to a crash and jackknifed semi.

The Minnesota Department of Transportation (MnDOT) reported the crash, involving seven vehicles, happened around 11:30 a.m. in the southbound lanes of I-35 just north of Faribault.

LATEST FORECAST

Snow is moving through southern Minnesota Friday, and has spread across the Twin Cities Friday afternoon.

A winter storm warning is in effect from Hennepin, Ramsey, and Washington County south in the metro. Anoka County is under a winter weather advisory. Both of these are in effect through early Saturday morning.

Drivers experienced a relatively calm Friday morning commute.

A few snow showers hit mid-morning in the metro. With temperatures in the mid- to upper-20s, treated roads mainly remained wet through the morning.

As the day goes on, steady to heavy bands of snow are expected to develop. These heavier areas of snow are likely from the southern half of the Twin Cities metro through Mankato and Rochester.

That means if you have any plans from Friday afternoon through Saturday morning, you should prepare for snow-covered roads and long travel times. If at all possible, it would be best to get off the roads after work and school, and hunker down for the night.

In general, the snow totals will be lower north and higher south. This could mean a big difference from the north metro to the south metro. In northern Hennepin, Anoka, and Washington County, totals should range from 5 to 8 inches. From downtown Minneapolis and St. Paul through southern Scott and Dakota County, totals range from 8 to 10 inches, with some isolated 12 inch totals possible.

South of the metro, closer to Mankato and Rochester, totals range from 10 to 14 inches. This is where driving could become dangerous after sunset Friday. Farther north into central Minnesota, only an inch or two is possible, and there will be a minimal impact to travel.

For most of the storm, winds will be light, only gusting to about 15 or 20 mph at times. Late Friday evening through the night, southern Minnesota could get some gusts over 25 mph, causing blowing snow and lower visibility.

Once we get through this system, the extended forecast is very quiet and unusually warm for the middle of December.

Stay with Minnesota’s Weather Authority for the latest on the winter storm here.

Track weather updates here.

PARKING RESTRICTIONS

MINNEAPOLIS – Beginning at 9 p.m. Friday, Day 1 snow emergency rules go into effect. You can park on either side of parkways and streets that are not Snow Emergency Routes. You cannot park n either side of Snow Emergency Routes, as snowplows will clear these streets first.

Then, from 8 a.m. until 8 p.m. Saturday, Day 2 snow emergency rules go into effect. You can park on both sides of Snow Emergency Routes and the odd side of streets that are not Snow Emergency Routes. You cannot park on either side of parkways or the even side of streets that are not Snow Emergency Routes.

Then, from 8 a.m. until 8 p.m. Sunday, Day 3 Snow Emergency Rules go into effect. You can park on both sides of parkways, both sides of Snow Emergency Routes, and on the even side of streets that are not Snow Emergency Routes. You cannot park on the odd sides of streets that are not Snow Emergency Routes. The city of Minneapolis has detailed information online.

ST. PAUL – Beginning at 9 p.m. Friday, all night plow routes will be plowed. Do not park on night plow routes , which include downtown and all streets with signs posted "NIGHT PLOW ROUTE" and "NIGHT PLOW ROUTE THIS SIDE OF STREET." Vehicles not moved from night plow routes by 9 p.m. Friday will be ticketed and towed.

Then, beginning at 8 a.m. Saturday, all day plow routes will be plowed. Do not park on day plow routes. Day plow routes are not marked by signs. If there are no night plow signs posted within the block, then consider it a day plow route. Vehicles not moved from day plow routes by 8 a.m. Saturday will be ticketed and towed.

BLOOMINGTON – A snow emergency is in effect in Bloomington. Residents and visitors are asked not to park on Bloomington streets for 48 hours or until the street has been plowed full width (whichever occurs first.) For current information about this snow emergency, call the city’s Snow Emergency Hotline at 952-563-8768 or follow updates online.

BROOKLYN CENTER – Parking restrictions will take effect beginning at 9 p.m. Friday. No on-street parking will be permitted until the roads are plowed curb to curb. Vehicles not removed are subject to issuance of a citation as well as towing to allow for snow plowing.

BROOKLYN PARK – A snow emergency is in effect starting Friday at 11:59 p.m. Street parking is not permitted until a street has been plowed curb to curb. Vehicles that remain on the street after 11:59 p.m. may be ticketed and towed.

CRYSTAL – The city of Crystal has declared snow parking restrictions effective Saturday at 12:01 a.m. During that period, parking is prohibited on all public streets and alleys until the snow has stopped accumulating and the street or alley has been plowed edge to edge. Vehicles parked on streets or alleys during snow emergencies may be tagged and/or towed at the owner’s expense.

EDEN PRAIRIE – The city of Eden Prairie has declared a snow event effective Dec. 10-11. As soon as the snow accumulates two inches, a snow emergency will go into effect.

ELK RIVER – The city of Elk River has declared a Snow Event, meaning parking on city streets and in city-owned parking lots is prohibited between 2-6 a.m. until further notice.

FARIBAULT – The city of Faribault has declared a snow emergency for Saturday. Parking is prohibited on city streets from 1-8 a.m., or until plowed curb to curb, whichever occurs later. Unattended vehicles are subject to tagging and/or towing.

GOLDEN VALLEY – City crews will begin plowing all streets beginning at 2 a.m. Saturday. No parking is allowed on any street from 2-6 a.m., or until all streets have been plowed curb to curb.

MAPLEWOOD – During plowing early Saturday, street parking won’t be permitted between 2-6 a.m.

NEW HOPE – A snow emergency takes effect at 10 p.m. Friday. During a snow emergency, parking is prohibited on all roads until snow subsides and streets are fully plowed from curb to curb. Vehicles remaining on the street during this time are subject to being ticketed and towed.

NORTHFIELD – The city of Northfield has declared a snow emergency effective 5 p.m. Friday until 12 p.m. Sunday.

RED WING – A snow emergency is in effect in Red Wing. From midnight to noon Saturday, city officials are asking residents and visitors to keep their vehicles off designated snow emergency routes.

ROBBINSDALE – Parking restrictions take effect at 8 p.m. on Friday. No on-street parking will be permitted until roads are plowed curb to curb.

ROSEVILLE – City officials said plowing is taking place on main city streets. A full plow will take place once snow ends early Saturday morning. City officials are asking residents to make sure parked vehicles are moved off the street to allow for efficient plowing.

ST. LOUIS PARK – A snow emergency will take effect starting at 10 p.m. Friday. During a snow emergency, on-street parking is prohibited. Any vehicle parked on an unplowed street during a snow emergency may be ticketed and towed.

AIR TRAVEL

Minneapolis-St. Paul International Airport reported early Friday that more than 90 inbound and outbound flights were canceled.