NEXT Weather Alert: Early rain will turn to snow by evening commute, prompting winter weather advisory
MINNEAPOLIS -- With early rain turning to snow by Thursday afternoon, potentially snarling the evening commute, a NEXT Weather Alert has been issued.
The day is off to a warm start, with the Twin Cities already seeing its high of 45 degrees. Rain will move in by mid-morning, and with temperatures dropping throughout the day, the precipitation will turn to snow by 2 p.m.
A winter weather advisory will be in effect for much of the state starting at 1 p.m. and lasting through Friday morning. The metro could see 2 to 3 inches of snow accumulate.
The Arrowhead, meanwhile, will be under a winter storm warning, with 6+ inches of snow possible.
In the Twin Cities, we'll see mainly slush and blowing snow, along with low visibilities and increasingly strong winds.
Snow showers will continue overnight Thursday into Friday morning. St. Patrick's Day will be cold and windy, with temperatures topping out in the upper teens. More snow is possible in the evening.
Temperatures will stay cool over the weekend, but brighter skies and warmer temps are ahead next week.
Blowing snow, ice cause rough road conditions
Thursday evening crash numbers
#MSPNumbers Statewide 4:30 p.m. to 9:30 p.m., 03/16/23: 125 crashes (13 with injury, 0 serious/1 fatal-Ramsey) & 101 veh spin out/off the road & 25 jackknifed semis.
— State Patrol PIO (@MSPPIO) March 17, 2023
Crashes popping up as temperatures drop
As temperatures drop and the wind picks up, more crashes are happening in and around the Twin Cities metro.
Jackknifed semi on 94 westbound in Albertsville @WCCO pic.twitter.com/PuagniF1nu
— Allen Henry (@AllenWCCO) March 17, 2023
Part of westbound Highway 10 near Armstrong Boulevard in the City of Ramsey closed due to a fatal crash Thursday evening.
Multiple other crashes have popped up around the state, including one involving a state trooper. The Minnesota State Patrol says a trooper was investigating a crash when they were hit by another vehicle. No one was injured.
Multiple crashes and spinouts along this stretch of I-94 between St. Cloud and Clearwater. @WCCO pic.twitter.com/ySU5iSIczy
— Nick Streiff (@nickstreiff) March 16, 2023
I-90 closed from South Dakota border to Jackson
As whiteout conditions continue in southern Minnesota, the Minnesota Department of Transportation has made the call to close parts of Interstate 90.
Between the 12 miles west of Luverne to Highway 71 in Jackson, the road is closed. The area is seeing drifting snow on the roadway and poor visibility.
MnDOT: Travel not advised in southwestern Minnesota
Several state highways are closed and no travel is advised in the southwestern corner of Minnesota.
The Minnesota Department of Transportation says white-out conditions contributed visibility of a tenth of a mile or less.
To check updates on the roads, click here.
Visibility plummets along I-94 near Clearwater
I-94 near Clearwater #MNwx right now shows you exactly why we issued a NEXT Weather Alert for today: a burst of HEAVY snow that's reducing visibility and causing snow/slush to accumulate on roads. @WCCOShaffer @JosephForecast & I are live at 4, 5, and 6pm on the stream! #wiwx pic.twitter.com/HZK3yC7E7Q
— Mike Augustyniak (@MikeAugustyniak) March 16, 2023
How MnDOT is tackling snow coming towards the Twin Cities
The rain in the Twin Cities is preventing the Minnesota Department of Transportation crews from pretreating roads ahead of the oncoming snow.
But the roads - thanks to a few recent warm days - are around 40 degrees, which will help the snow melt on contact. Unfortunately, as the snow continues to fall, the roads will get colder and the snow could start sticking.
MnDOT has moved to fully-staffed 12-hour shifts, but crews anticipate a messy commute, especially during rush hour.
MnDOT advises no travel for 3 highways in western Minn.
Due to strong winds and heavy snow creating low visibility conditions, the Minnesota Department of Transportation is advising no travel on segments of three highways in western Minnesota.
Those highways include:
Hwy 68 from the state line to Canby in Yellow Medicine County
Hwy 19 from the state line to Marshall in Lincoln and Lyon counties
Highway 14 from the state line to Tracy in Lincoln and Lyon counties
NEXT Drive: Expect a messy commute home
The Minnesota Department of Transportation says to expect a messy PM commute Thursday.
According to MnDOT, crews are unable to pre-treat the roads due to the rain. However, the warmer temperatures are allowing crews to repair some potholes.
The initial snow will melt on contact in the afternoon, but roads will eventually get worse as the snowfall continues, MnDOT said.
School closings & delays
Minnesota schools are announcing closings and delays in anticipation of a winter storm arriving Thursday. Check the latest listings by clicking here.