Winter Weather Causes Slippery Roads In Twin Cities

MINNEAPOLIS (WCCO) -- Since the snow started falling across the metro Saturday afternoon, traffic has been backed up at times.

As of 8:40 p.m., according to State Patrol, there were 220 crashes in the metro. Twenty-seven people were injured and there were no fatalities. There were also 47 spin-outs in the metro.

This is the first time it has snowed this season where we have seen significant snowfall and below freezing temperatures.

"People just think, 'Eh, no big deal,' until they get out there then they go, 'Uh oh,'" driver Jarrod Condon said.

As soon as the snow started falling across the Twin Cities around 3 p.m., Minnesota's Department of Transportation cameras caught the backups, spin-outs and crashes drivers saw firsthand.

"One accident it was like four cars. Yeah, it was pretty bad," Condon said.

"Today, the pavement's cold. The snow that's falling, and it's falling now, is pretty dry," MnDOT Communications Director Kevin Gutknecht said.

Gutknecht said the sub-freezing temperatures mixed with snow could easily catch drivers off guard, especially after a relatively mild November.

"You have to be a little bit cautious. Keep plenty of braking distance," driver Waqar Abie said.

"Biggest thing though is, you need to slow down," Gutknecht said.

Gutknecht says crews will continue treating the roads with salt, but it becomes more difficult when temperatures dip below 15 degrees.

"It'll still work but it requires longer and maybe a little bit more when we apply it," he said.

In charge of the state's highways, MnDOT will keep treating the roads through Sunday.

"Plan ahead, give yourself more time," Gutknecht said. "Fortunately it's a weekend and we won't have a huge rush hour at 5:30."

As it warms up overnight like WCCO meteorologist Matt Brickman says it will, that will help the chemicals work better to keep roads less icy.