Travel not advised in parts of southern Minnesota, another 6 to 10 inches of snow likely in Twin Cities

According to WCCO’s Next Weather Watchers, 15 inches of snow fell overnight in Wabasha, with areas like Lakeville and Cannon Falls seeing more than 12 inches. 

Closer to the Twin Cities, Savage got around 10.5 inches of snow. Champlin saw 6.4 inches, and Edina saw 5.7 inches.

The Minnesota Department of Transportation says it will close Interstate 35 southbound at Albert Lea by 3 p.m. Sunday. Officials in Iowa intend to close the area on south around that time. 

MnDOT says it will keep the southbound highway closed until officials reopen it in Iowa.

According to Minneapolis-St. Paul International Airport, hundreds of flights have been canceled Sunday.

So far, 332 flights that were set to arrive have been canceled, with another 125 arriving on time.

The airport says 360 departures have been canceled, while 96 were able to take off on time.

The Minnesota Department of Transportation says there are whiteout conditions on Minnesota roads, and travel is not advised in southern Minnesota.

The advisories include Dodge, Fillmore, Freeborn, Goodhue, Houston, Mower, Olmsted, Rice, Steele, Wabasha and Winona counties. The warning includes parts of Interstate 35 and Interstate 90. 

“Snowplows are having difficulty in current conditions but remain on the roads at this time. Current rates of snow are covering roads faster than snowplows can clear a driving lane,” MnDOT said.

Most of the roads in the Twin Cities area are also completely covered in snow, MnDOT says.

The trajectory of the March storm has shifted slightly south, and while the Twin Cities could see an additional 6 to 10 inches of snow Sunday, the heaviest snowfall amounts could be slightly to the south.

Minneapolis-St. Paul International Airport said it had gotten 7.3 inches of snow as 7 a.m. Sunday, with the National Weather Service office in Chanhassen reporting 7.6 inches. Areas in Savage and Elko New Market saw more than 10 inches of snow.

There’s more still to come, and strong wind gusts of 30 to 50 mph are creating visibility issues. In Eden Prairie, the visibility is down to 3/4 of a mile.

In the hours between midnight and 6:30 a.m., the Minnesota State Patrol says there were 21 property damage crashes on Minnesota roads.

There were also five spinouts and 70 cars off the road, along with six jackknifed semis. 

One of the crashes resulted in an injury.

WCCO’s NEXT Weather team is on top of snowstorm updates. Watch continuing coverage all morning in the live player above and on YouTube. 

The Minnesota National Guard are on standby in various spots in southern Minnesota, prepared for activation should rescue operations become necessary during this weekend’s storm.

Colonel John McCrae, director of operations for the Minnesota National Guard, said that members are in position at armory locations in Albert Lea, Fairmont, Owatonna and Redwood Falls.

Gov. Tim Walz has signed an executive order authorizing the Minnesota National Guard to support emergency operations for a winter storm expected late Saturday into Sunday.

“We have armories all around the state, and that allows us to be able to respond pretty quickly in times like this,” McCrae said.

Several Twin Cities businesses will be closed Sunday due to snowstorm:

• All Minnesota Historical Society sites in the metro
• Como Park Zoo & Conservatory
• All Bachman’s locations
• Minnesota Children’s Museum

One person was hurt in a multi-vehicle crash that happened just before 8 p.m. Saturday on Interstate 35 near Elko New Market, according to the Minnesota State Patrol.

“Preliminary investigation indicates a primary crash occurred, most likely with a vehicle and the guardrail, resulting in the vehicle becoming disabled in the middle of the road,” the state patrol says. “This caused a secondary crash involving multiple vehicles.”

The victim’s injuries are not considered life-threatening.

As of 9:30 p.m. Saturday, more than 600 flights scheduled to arrive and depart Sunday at Minneapolis-St. Paul International Airport are canceled, according to FlightAware.com.

During a press conference on Saturday, both Mayors Kaohly Her and Jacob Frey announced snow emergencies. The emergencies will go into effect at 9 p.m. on Sunday, but residents of both cities are encouraged to move their cars on Saturday. 

Minneapolis has opened up a parking lot at the Salvation Army and the parking lot at the farmers market. Parking at these locations will be free for residents until Wednesday at 8 p.m. Starting Sunday, Parking Ramp A in downtown Minneapolis will also be open and residents will only need to pay $1. 

St. Paul will open up the block 19 ramp in downtown St. Paul, starting at 5 p.m. Saturday, for free parking for St. Paul residents. The city will also open some St. Paul park lots as they become available and recommend residents check the city’s website. St. Paul officials also said that due to the snow, there will be no garbage pickup Monday.

GET THE LATEST ON SNOW EMERGENCIES

The city of St. Louis Park is issuing a snow emergency starting at 10 p.m. Saturday. The city says the snow emergency may stay in effect longer due to the large amounts of snow expected. 

During a press conference on Saturday, both Mayors Kaohly Her and Jacob Frey announced snow emergencies. The emergencies will go into effect at 9 p.m. on Sunday, but residents of both cities are encouraged to move their cars on Saturday. 

Minneapolis has opened up a parking lot at the Salvation Army and the parking lot at the farmers market. Parking at these locations will be free for residents until Wednesday at 8 p.m. Starting Sunday, Parking Ramp A in downtown Minneapolis will also be open and residents will only need to pay $1. 

St. Paul will open up the block 19 ramp in downtown St. Paul, starting at 5 p.m. Saturday, for free parking for St. Paul residents. The city will also open some St. Paul park lots as they become available and recommend residents check the city’s website. St. Paul officials also said that due to the snow, there will be no garbage pickup Monday.

Gov. Tim Walz authorized the Minnesota National Guard on Friday, ahead of the storm. 

“Despite recent Spring weather, Minnesotans know that a March snowstorm is never out of the question,” said Walz. “As we brace for this potentially dangerous round of winter weather, I am grateful to our National Guard for stepping in to keep Minnesotans safe.”   

As of Saturday, the national have four armories in the south and metro area of the state — Owatonna, Redwood Falls, Fairmont and Albert Lea. 

“We have armories all around the state all around the state, and that allows us to be able to respond pretty quickly in times like this,” said Colonel John McCrae,  Director of Operations for the Minnesota National Guard. “So those are the four armories that, based on the local need. I would note that those four armories, we have vehicles that are called SUSVs and that is a tracked vehicle that is able to operate in snow and ice conditions.” 

“We’re your friends and neighbors,” said McCrae. “We want Minnesotans to be safe. You know, we care about the community, and we want Minnesotans to be safe, and we want to be a part of that effort to keep you safe, so we’re happy to help.”

The Minnesota Department of Public Safety recommends checking road conditions and having an emergency car kit if you have to travel. 

Below is a list of items to include in your car’s emergency kit this winter:

Credit: Minnesota Department of Public Safety 

• Jumper Cables
• Ice Scraper + Brush
• Portable Shovel
• Flashlight (with backup batteries)
• First-Aid Kit
• Cell Phone Charger and Adapter
• Pencil & Paper
• Extra Gloves, Jacket, Hat, Socks, Boots
• Water
• Snacks – granola bars, protein bars
• Hand & Toe Warmers
• Large Plastic Garbage Bag
• Whistle
• Small Candles with Matches
• Swiss Army Knife or other Basic Tools
• Bag of Sand or Non-Clumping Kitty Litter
• Sleeping Bag or Blankets
• Red Bandanna or Cloth
• Road flares or Reflective Warning Triangles
• Towing cables or chain