NEXT Weather: Snow emergencies declared as parts of metro see 8+ inches of accumulation

MINNEAPOLIS -- It's been a busy day for those working to clear the snow.

In Minnesota, a lot of businesses stay open and life keeps moving even during a big snow storm, which is why removers work hard to keep business parking lots and sidewalks clear.

Some people who are normally landscapers during the summer months switch over to shoveling and plowing until April. Days like Tuesday are extremely busy for them, especially when the snow won't stop falling and covers up what they've just cleared.

"That's the name of the game, that's just how it is," said John Larson of KG Landscaping. "We gotta keep the businesses open like this lot here and others as well so you just gotta keep coming back until it's all gone."

As the snowfall slows, the plows are all making their second rounds to clear roads and parking lots for good. 

The National Weather Service has released the latest snowfall totals, and it looks like the south metro is where it's stacking up the most.

The Chisago County Sheriff's Office says traffic cannot make it up the hill at Taylors Falls, so US-8 is closed in the westbound direction. 

The Minneapolis-St. Paul International Airport says all runways are closed until at least 4 p.m. due to "excessive snowfall rates and low visibility."

According to the airport's website, there are dozens of canceled flights as of 2:50 p.m. 

Minneapolis, St. Paul and many other towns in Minnesota have declared snow emergencies due to Tuesday's snow. 

Other cities include Elk River, Plymouth, Crystal and Brooklyn Center. 

Check out information on snow emergencies on our Closings & Delays page.

From Minneapolis Public Schools: 

"Minneapolis Public Schools is canceling student after-school activities for Tuesday, Nov. 29 due to likely difficult driving conditions related to today's snowfall. All student after-school activities, including Adult Education classes, Early Childhood programs, and athletic games and practices, will be canceled. Minneapolis Kids will remain open until all kids are picked up.

"There may be transportation delays due to slick roads, so we recommend families download the Here Comes The Bus app to track students' buses."

Multiple schools around Minnesota are canceling after-school activities, click here for the latest closings and delays. 

MINNEAPOLIS -- Road conditions around noon on Tuesday were still slow and slick, as snow continues to fall around the metro area.

Minnesotans said their commute was slow in the morning.  

"Slow driving," said Abdull Warsan. "You know, for my daughters too I'm telling them, slow down. Take your time, no rush, take your time, no accidents."

"These days people just drive so fast and be in a rush and a lot of accidents happen," said Larry Loving. "I didn't even take the freeway. I'm on the sidestreets because it's slippery."

As Tuesday's snowfall continues, metro cities are starting to declare snow events and warn residents of parking restrictions.

Brooklyn Center's snow event begins at 11 p.m., and no on-street parking will be allowed until the roads are plowed.

In Eden Prairie, residents are not allowed to park on city streets until noon on Wednesday.

To check the latest snow emergencies, click here.

The Minnesota Department of Transportation had plows out pre-treating the roads ahead of Tuesday's snowfall.

But how do they make those crucial decisions -- whether to use salt or brine, and which roads to treat and how?

WCCO's Pauleen Le stepped into one of their plows to see firsthand the technology and the thought process behind making those decisions. Click here for the full story.

Crashes are starting to pop up on metro roads as snowfall snarls the morning commute.

Tuesday's snowfall could impact your child's school schedule. To check the latest closings and delays, click here.

In addition to the NEXT Weather Alert, we've issued a NEXT Drive Alert due to Tuesday morning's snowfall. Reporters Pauleen Le and Beret Leone are both tracking road conditions in various parts of the metro and state.