Falling snow a welcome sight for some after mostly dry winter season so far

There’s a pretty clear line between who is seeing snow and who is not in Minnesota.

While FOX 9 does not yet have official totals, the new snow is a sight people around Faribault, Minn. haven’t seen for a while either.

For the most part, Faribaultians are happy for some real winter weather.

When you serve up hot drinks and sweet treats, business apparently booms when winter returns.

“I thought a lot of people wouldn’t come in, but surprisingly, the snow has brought some people in for warm drinks in a warm place,” said Chloe Kucera, of the Bluebird Cakery.

Bluebird Cakery is nestled in the heart of downtown Faribault with a perfect view of the falling snow.

“It’s a main talking point,” Kucera said. “You know, ‘Oh the weather,’ you know, ‘Who knows how much more it’s going to snow?’”

A group of ladies aren’t going to let a fresh snowfall stop their plans for Friday night either.

“When the snow was coming down today, it’s like being snuggled in your house on the couch,” said Lana Cowan. “It’s kind of fun watching the snow coming down, but we had this arranged.”

The general consensus around town is to let it snow.

“We’ve been needing snow, so getting snow is a good thing,” Cowan said.

The Twin Cities have only seen 11 inches so far this year and just over 16 in Des Moines. In Columbia, Missouri, it’s been 20 inches, almost 500 miles south of the Twin Cities.

The lack of snow means a low season for Faribault plow drivers, but Friday, those plows were out of the public works garage and on the roads.

“This is the second major snow event we’ve had this season,” said Travis Block, Faribault’s Public Works Director. “We had one earlier in December, but it’s been pretty mild otherwise.”

Block’s crews will be hard at work all night to keep the roads clear.

“We’ll go through the morning until it is complete,” Block said.

In terms of road conditions, there is a good amount of snow on the roads and blowing across roads, too.

According to MnDOT, most major roads in Southern Minnesota are partially or completely covered. MnDOT also reported Friday that at least four cars have crashed with snowplows since the flurries began to fly.

MnDOT also released more data Friday night, showing 76 crashes statewide as a result of the snow, 10 of which involved injuries. No fatalities have been reported. An additional 68 vehicles were run off the road, requiring tow assistance.