Snowy crashes shut down Interstate 94 for 2 hours

Interstate 94 was closed in both directions between Clearwater, Minn. and Hasty, Minn. for two hours late Tuesday morning due to a semi crash and several other crashes. Blowing snow is causing whiteout conditions in many parts of Minnesota. View a live map of traffic incidents at myfox9.com/traffic 

By noon Tuesday, westbound I-94 between the two exits was open, and all lanes reopened shortly after 1 p.m.

Crash totals

Twin Cities metro: According to the Minnesota State Patrol, there were 150 crashes, 18 crash-related injuries and 28 spinouts in the Twin Cities metro between midnight and 3 p.m. State troopers responded to the most crashes between 9:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. Two state units were involved in crashes, including a trooper and a commercial vehicle inspector.

Statewide: Between midnight and 3 p.m., there were  278 crashes, 32 involving injuries (one serious, one fatal) and 121 spinouts statewide. Troopers were busiest from 8:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m.

A trooper was struck on eastbound Interstate 494 near Concord Ave. during Tuesday morning's commute. According to the Minnesota State Patrol, the trooper was extricated and taken to Regions Hospital in St. Paul with non-life-threatening injuries.

Slow down
Increase following distance in bad weather
Drive to the conditions of the road
Pay attention
Buckle up
Drive sober

Twin Cities weather

First the snow will hit, tallying a couple to a few inches of snow area wide through about midday. But then the northwesterly winds will hit this fluff, and visibility will drop all over again with significant blowing and drifting snow expected, especially south and west of the metro where whiteout conditions are likely. Then the cold hits, with temperatures plummeting late Tuesday and early Wednesday. Combine the falling temps with the winds and wind chills will be back in the 15 to 30 below zero range by Wednesday morning.

WEATHER TIMELINE: Gusty winds and bitter cold follow Tuesday's snow