Quick, heavy snow storm moves across Minnesota

(KMSP) - Snow is already heading to southwest MN, but will be widespread by the noon time hour. It will make it to the metro in the mid-afternoon, 3 p.m. or so, then onward toward Duluth by 6 or 7 p.m.  This will be a QUICK hitting storm, but unlike many we see in Minnesota, this one will likely have some heavy snowfall rates, meaning the hourly rate the snow is falling will be quite intense.  

Usual Minnesota snowfall rates are roughly quarter to maybe a half inch an hour, meaning it takes 2 to 4 hours to accumulate an inch of snow.  For this storm, snowfall rates could easily be 1 to 2 inches per hour.  

So despite the quick nature of this storm, snow will add up quickly and MNDOT will likely struggle to keep up.  This will make travel difficult, if not impossible for a few hours Saturday evening and Saturday night before the snow wraps up around Midnight.

Most common metro snow totals will likely be in the 5-7” range, but there could be an isolated spot or two that see under or over that depending on exact banding and how long the intense snow can hang around.  The metro totals will be part of the heavier band with widespread eastern MN totals of 4-8”, with a northeastward uptick overall, with 10” or more possible in spots near Lake Superior.  Most areas in the viewing area, even outside of this heavier band, should end up with at least a couple of inches.

SNOW EMERGENCY DECLARED

MINNEAPOLIS PARKING RULES:

Day 2 (8 a.m. to 8 p.m. Saturday, Feb. 24): Do not park on the EVEN side of non-Snow Emergency routes. (Example: 1356 Maple or 2512 17th Ave.) Do not park on either side of parkways. Park on the odd side of non-Snow Emergency Route streets (Example: 1359 Maple or 2513 17th Ave.). Park on either side of streets with the red Snow Emergency Route sign. After a street is fully plowed, feel free to park there, even if Snow Emergency parking rules are still in effect. Fully plowed means the street is completely cleared and plowed as wide as possible. Plows may come through more than once, so make sure that it is fully plowed as wide as possible before parking.

Day 3 (8 a.m. to 8 p.m. Sunday, Feb. 25): Do not park on the ODD side of non-Snow Emergency Route streets. You can park on even side of non-Snow Emergency Route streets and either side of streets marked with the red Snow Emergency Route sign.

ST. PAUL RULES: A snow emergency is in effect in St. Paul. Beginning at 9 p.m. on Friday, Feb. 23, all NIGHT PLOW ROUTES will be plowed. Night Plow Routes include streets with signs posted that say "NIGHT PLOW ROUTE" and "NIGHT PLOW ROUTE-THIS SIDE OF STREET. Vehicles which are not moved from Night Plow Routes by 9 p.m. Friday, Feb. 23 will be ticketed and towed. Beginning at 8 a.m. on Saturday, Feb. 24, all DAY PLOW ROUTES will be plowed. If the street is not marked as a “Night Plow Route,” it is considered a Day Plow Route. Vehicles that are not moved from Day Plow Routes by 8 a.m. Saturday, Feb. 24, will be ticketed and towed. Parking is banned until streets are plowed full width. Visit stpaul.gov/snow or call (651) 266-PLOW for more information.

OTHER SNOW EMERGENCIES: Bloomington, Robbinsdale, Crystal, Hopkins, Faribault, Golden Valley, Montevideo, St. Louis Park and West St. Paul have also declared snow emergencies or parking restrictions. Check with your city or any city you plan to visit this weekend for any restrictions.