Minnesota weather: Some slick roads during Wednesday snow
MINNEAPOLIS (FOX 9) - Snow is falling in much of Minnesota on Wednesday, which could make for some slick roads and a challenging commute.
Snow in Minnesota
The National Weather Service issued a winter weather advisory for portions of northwestern Minnesota from midnight to 6 p.m. on Wednesday. Accumulating snow and wind gusts could create some hazardous conditions and slippery roads.
While the bulk of the snow will be in northwestern Minnesota, a minor coating on grassy surfaces and a few slick spots on area roadways are possible elsewhere.
Snowflakes will be sporadic through the afternoon in the Twin Cities metro, but the chances for snow will stick around through the evening before drying out overnight.
Crashes and spinouts
Snow on Wednesday is creating some slippery road conditions across the state.
According to the Minnesota State Patrol, from 3 p.m. to 9 p.m. on Wednesday, there was a statewide total of 455 crashes, 420 of which resulted in property damage, 34 injuries and one fatality. There were also 18 jackknifed semis.
FOX 9 meteorologist Cody Matz explains that as temperatures hover around or below freezing on Wednesday, it could create some slick road conditions. When the ground is warm, snowflakes melt as they make contact with the road. But at some point during the day, the ground will start to freeze, meaning surfaces that are left untreated could become slick.
The Minnesota State Patrol reported Wednesday afternoon that troopers were still responding to several crashes and jackknifed semi-trucks.
The majority of these incidents are in the areas of Moorhead and Fergus Falls.
Other crashes are concentrated in the northwest and west central parts of Minnesota, with 22 crashes reported from midnight to 4:30 p.m on Wednesday.
The Minnesota State Patrol said those crashes included four non-life-threatening injuries, including six jackknifed semis and 13 other vehicles that spun out or ran off the road and required trooper or tow truck assistance.
Minnesota State Patrol photo shows a jackknifed semi-truck. The photo was reportedly taken around 3 p.m. on Wednesday just west of Rothsay and nobody was injured. (Supplied)
Troopers say they responded to at least six jackknifed semis in west central Minnesota on Wednesday morning. No injuries were reported, but the trooper noted the roads are "obviously slippery" with snow and ice.
Minnesota State Patrol responding to jackknifed semi's on snow covered roads in western Minnesota. (Minnesota State Patrol / Supplied)
In a 9:40 a.m. update, the State Patrol said between 5:30 a.m. and 7:30 a.m., troopers responded to six jackknifed semis along I-94, in addition to several reported crashes and spinouts in central and northwestern Minnesota.
"Roads are covered in snow and ice. Please use due care when traveling," Sargeant Jessee Grabow wrote on X.
Current road conditions
According to the Minnesota Department of Transportation's website, as of 10:45 a.m. roads across the Twin Cities could be partially covered in snow due to the forecast, while some roadways in northwestern Minnesota are covered in ice.
You can check the latest road conditions and reported road incidents on MnDOT's 511 website here.