The Twin Cities metro area is currently facing the effects of a significant winter storm that has brought daily life to a halt. The storm began intensifying on Tuesday evening and continued overnight, resulting in up to a foot of snow in some areas and creating hazardous conditions throughout the region.
Minneapolis has declared a snow emergency starting today, March 5, at 9:30 a.m. Snow emergency parking rules will take effect tonight at 9 p.m. Residents are advised to follow the parking guidelines to avoid tickets and towing.
Metro Transit has suspended all bus services indefinitely due to dangerous road conditions; however, light rail and Northstar trains are still operational. The Minnesota State Patrol has reported over 70 crashes, with 111 vehicles off the road and several jackknifed semis. Interstate 90 and multiple highways in southern Minnesota are closed, and no-travel advisories are in effect for several counties.
More than 11,000 households in the Twin Cities are without power due to heavy, wet snow and strong winds damaging power lines. Utility crews are working diligently to restore service, but challenging conditions continue to hinder their efforts.
Many school districts, including Minneapolis and St. Paul, have shifted to e-learning or declared severe weather days. Suburban districts such as Bloomington, Lakeville, and Wayzata have also closed schools. Additionally, snow emergencies have been declared in cities like Eden Prairie and Robbinsdale.
Snowfall totals across the metro area vary, with Woodbury recording 11.8 inches, Lakeville 11.1 inches, and Minneapolis 8.6 inches. The National Weather Service warns that strong winds, reaching up to 45 mph, could result in whiteout conditions, making travel extremely dangerous.
Residents are advised to stay indoors, avoid unnecessary travel, and exercise caution while shoveling the heavy, wet snow. The storm is expected to taper off by mid-afternoon, but its impact will likely be felt for several days.
