Minnesota weather: Low visibility and slick travel conditions in Twin Cities Wednesday night

DULUTH, Minn. (FOX 9) - A winter storm dumped heavy snow across much of Minnesota on Wednesday, making travel difficult in the Twin Cities and Greater Minnesota. 

Snow in northern Minnesota led to white-out conditions along Lake Superior, and blowing snow in southwestern Minnesota led to no travel advisories, which are now lifted. 

Widespread snowfall hit most of northern Minnesota on Wednesday. The area was under a winter storm warning, while the stretch of the arrowhead along Lake Superior was under a blizzard warning.

READ MORE: 

• SNOW TOTALS: Here's how much snow has fallen across Minnesota
• WEATHER FORECAST: Morning rain to afternoon slushy mix for Twin Cities Wednesday

Find live updates on weather conditions across Minnesota below. 

9:30 p.m. - Parking restrictions

Beginning at midnight Thursday, Crystal will have snow parking restrictions. Parking is prohibited on all public streets and alleys until the snowfall has stopped. 

Belle Plaine requires off-street parking only until streets are cleared. 

9 p.m. - Updated statewide crash report 

The Minnesota State Patrol shared updated crash numbers for Wednesday from 5 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. 

During that time, there were 132 property damage crashes, six injury crashes, 109 vehicles off the road, eight vehicle spin-outs and eight jackknifed semis. 

7 p.m. - ‘Snowing sideways’ across the state

Travel conditions remain difficult in Minnesota, with heavy snow and strong winds obscuring vision on the highways. 

6:38 p.m. - No travel advisory lifted in south central MN, icy roads remain

MnDOT has lifted the no travel advisories for all state highways in southern Minnesota. 

Visibility has improved on the highways, but roads remain icy and slushy. Drivers are encouraged to drive slowly. 

6 p.m. - Slow traffic during commute

Roads are completely covered with heavy snow as traffic moves slowly in the Twin Cities with limited visibility. 

FOX 9 Meteorologist Cody Matz highlighted a "ridiculously heavy band of snow." 

5:45 p.m. - Slick roads and low-visibility conditions in the Twin Cities 

Travelers are facing tough conditions as a winter storm descends on the Twin Cities during the evening commute. 

4:45 p.m. - Backed-up traffic and snow-covered roads

MnDOT information shows covered roads across the Twin Cities.

Traffic is moving slowly as snow falls with strong winds. 

4:40 p.m. - Slushy and sloppy commute ahead 

FOX 9's Ian Leonard has an update on the winter storm hitting Minnesota as road conditions deteriorate. 

4:30 p.m. - State Patrol shares crash numbers across Minnesota

The Minnesota State Patrol shared the latest statewide crash numbers.

From 6 a.m. to 4 p.m., on Wednesday, Feb. 18, there were 204 property damage crashes, 16 injury crashes, 155 vehicles off the road and 13 jackknifed semis. 

3:30 p.m. - Snow in Two Harbors nearly 2 feet deep

Northern Minnesota saw almost two feet of snow across the area, with some towns reporting totals even higher. 

3 p.m. - No travel advisory issues in South Central Minnesota

The Minnesota Department of Transportation issued a no-travel advisory in four Minnesota counties due to blowing snow and strong winds that have created "limited visibility." 

• Blue Earth
• Brown
• Nicollet
• Watonwan

Motorists are advised to not travel in the area until conditions improve. 

A blizzard warning is in place along the Minnesota River Valley until 6 p.m. Wednesday. 

2:12 p.m. - Updated snow totals 

Here's a look at snow totals so far, from Tuesday evening to Wednesday afternoon: 

• Hovland: 26 inches as of 1:53 p.m. Wednesday
• Little Marais: 20 inches as of 1:47 p.m. Wednesday
• Lutsen: 19.1 inches as of 1 p.m. Wednesday
• Two Harbors: 18 inches as of 1:10 p.m.
• Sawbill: 13 inches as of 12:35 p.m.
• Grand Forks: 6.3 inches as of noon.
• Ely: 6.2 inches as of 12:30 p.m.
• Blackduck: 6 inches as of 1:58 p.m.

1:30 p.m. - Duluth hit hard by high winds

The northern third of Minnesota is being hit hard by Wednesday's winter storm. Dan Hanger from FOX 21 in Duluth joined FOX 9's All Day to describe what the conditions were like from Canal Park. He said sustained winds were at 50 mph, and he experienced a wind gust of 69 mph on the Blatnik Bridge.

While he couldn't give an exact snow total, Hanger estimates Duluth has gotten about a foot of snow. High winds remain the current big issue.

1:20 p.m. - Additional no travel advisories in SW Minnesota

MnDOT is advising no travel on more highways in southwestern Minnesota on Wednesday afternoon due to blowing snow and strong winds, which are creating limited visibility. Meanwhile, several roadways are blocked by overturned semi-trucks.

Here are the latest roadways where no travel is advised: 

• Highway 4 from Cosmos to Fairfax
• Highway 7 from Blomkest to Highway 25
• Highway 12 from Dassel to Cokato
• Highway 15 from Dassel to Winthrop
• Highway 19 from Marshall to Fairfax
• Highway 23 from Marshall to Granite Falls
• Highway 67 from Granite Falls to Highway 19
• Highway 67 from Redwood Falls to Morgan
• Highway 68 from Highway 19 to Morgan
• Highway 71 from Highway 7 to Sanborn
• Highway 212 from Granite Falls to Highway 25

You can find the latest road conditions here. 

1 p.m. – No travel advisories in southwestern Minnesota 

MnDOT has issued a no travel advisory for many state highways in southwest Minnesota as strong winds and blowing snow reduce visibility and overturned semis block several roadways.

As of 1 p.m., motorists are advised not to drive on the following highways until conditions improve:

• Highway 23 from Marshall to Granite Falls
• Highway 67 from Granite Falls to Highway 19
• Highway 67 from Redwood Falls to Morgan
• Highway 71 from Highway 7 to Highway 212
• Highway 212 from Granite Falls to Renville

12:40 p.m. – Roads covered, partially covered in snow 

Roads in the Twin Cities remain wet, while northern Minnesota is seeing more snow with partially and fully snow-covered roads. Central and southern Minnesota are starting to experience more hazardous travel conditions, including fully covered roads and some reported whiteout conditions.

12:30 p.m. - No travel advised in southwestern Minnesota

The National Weather Service says if you have travel plans in southwestern Minnesota on Wednesday, you should consider delaying them for a couple hours. The combination of 50 mph winds and falling snow across north/northeast Lyon Counties is resulting in near whiteout conditions. It's especially difficult on Highway 59 near Marshall.

The Minnesota Department of Transportation is advising no travel on many state highways in southwestern Minnesota. 

Blowing snow and strong winds are creating limited visibility and several roadways are blocked by overturned semis. Motorists are advised not to travel on the following highways until conditions improve.

• Highway 23 from Marshall to Granite Falls
• Highway 67 from Granite Falls to Highway 19
• Highway 67 from Redwood Falls to Morgan
• Highway 71 from Highway 7 to Highway 212
• Highway 212 from Granite Falls to Renville

No Travel Advised means that the roadway has deteriorated and/or visibility has been reduced to the point that it is very dangerous to travel; there are reports of intermittent white-out conditions; and some weather conditions can be severe enough that road treatments are not effective, and conditions can become life-threatening for stranded travelers.

12:15 p.m. - Latest snow totals

Here's a look at snow totals so far, from Tuesday evening to around 8 a.m. on Wednesday. This list will be updated as additional measurements come in.

• Two Harbors: 13 inches
• Castle Danger: 12.6 inches
• Finland: 13 inches
• Grand Marais: 10.6 inches
• Washburn, Wisconsin: 10 inches
• Chisholm: 9.2 inches
• Duluth: 8 inches
• Lutsen: 7.4 inches
• Bemidji: 6 inches
• Fort Ripley: 3.5 inches

12:07 p.m. – Crash numbers

The Minnesota State Patrol reported between midnight and noon on Wednesday there were 113 vehicles off the road, 60 property damage crashes, five injury crashes, three jackknifed semis and two vehicle spinouts. 

The State Patrol is asking drivers to consider delaying travel plans if the winter storm is in your area.

11:51 a.m. - Difficult travel in NE Minnesota

The National Weather Service is reporting continued difficult travel in northeastern Minnesota, with moderate to heavy snowfall rates continuing as of 11 a.m. 

Officials are urging drivers that if they have to go out, to take it slow and leave space between you and other vehicles. 

No travel is advised for a portion of I-35 from near Moose Lake to Duluth, as well as on Highway 61 from Two Harbors to the Canadian border. Highway 1 from near Silver Bay through Isabella and a portion of Minnesota 33 are also under no travel advisories as of 11:50 a.m. Wednesday. 

However, some roads in the Duluth area are now listed as partially snow covered, an improvement from earlier when they were listed as completely snow covered.

You can find the latest road conditions here. 

11:35 a.m. - No travel advisory lifted for portion of Highway 61 

A no travel advisory for a section of Highway 61 has been lifted from Duluth to Two Harbors, but remains in place from Two Harbors north to the Canadian border. 

This comes as road conditions improve across the Northland on Wednesday amid blizzard conditions and heavy snow. 

You can find the latest road conditions here. 

10:50 a.m. - Winds topped 60 mph in Duluth

Wind gusts in the Duluth area topped 60 mph Wednesday morning. Here's a list: 

10:41 a.m. - Snow-covered roads in northern Minnesota

Highway 61 and Highway 1 in Minnesota's Arrowhead are still under no travel advisories, but conditions across northern Minnesota are starting to improve, especially in north-central Minnesota. Roads are listed as partially covered with snow, instead of completely covered. 

You can find the latest road conditions here. 

9:38 a.m. - No travel advisory still in effect

A no travel advisory is still in effect for Highway 61 from Duluth to the Canadian border due to white-out conditions. No travel is also advised on Highway 1 in the Arrowhead. 

You can find the latest road conditions here.

8:55 a.m. – Winter weather advisory for Twin Cities metro

The National Weather Service expanded the winter weather advisory to include the Twin Cities metro area. The advisory is in place from 10 a.m. to 9 p.m. on Wednesday. 

Parts of central Minnesota could get 1 to 3 inches of snow, along with gusty winds. Drivers should use caution as road conditions could become slippery.

8:45 a.m. - Downed trees, power lines in Duluth

The Duluth area picked up 4-8 inches of fresh snow Wednesday morning, the city says, noting blizzard conditions resulted in downed trees and power lines in multiple locations Tuesday night. 

The city is encouraging people to avoid travel, as snow and windy conditions wil continue. 

"Road conditions are treacherous due to the snow compaction and whiteout conditions. If you can avoid traveling during thi storm, you should. If you must travel, please pack an emergency weather kit," the city said in a news release.

Meanwhile, the City of Duluth has canceled Parks and Recreation programming for Wednesday.

8:15 a.m. – Slick road conditions in western Minnesota 

The Minnesota State Patrol is warning of slippery roads after rain quickly turned to ice and snow in west central Minnesota. By 8 a.m. on Wednesday, troopers were responding to several spinouts and vehicles off the road, including on Interstate 94 near Moorhead. Water-filled ditches are adding to the hazards. 

Drivers are urged to use caution while traveling on roadways.

7:15 a.m. — Travel not advised in areas of northern MN

Travel is not advised in some areas of northern Minnesota, including on Highway 61, which was previously closed. 

The line of wet roads to snowy roads is near the St. Cloud area. Roadways south are generally wet, while roadways north of St. Cloud are snow-covered.

Here are the latest road conditions: 

 You can find the latest road conditions here.

6:37 a.m. - Power outages reported

More than 5,000 customers are without power in northern Minnesota, according to Minnesota Power and Lake Country Power.

You can check the Minnesota Power outage map here. You can check Lake Country Power's outage map here.

6:22 a.m. - School closings

Several school districts have delayed openings or are closed on Wednesday due to the winter storm. Find a list here.

6 a.m. - White-out conditions

Highway 61 that travels up the North Shore is closed Wednesday morning due to white-out conditions, with visibility listed at one-tenth of a mile, according to MnDOT. 

Minnesota 1, between Kelly Trail and Highway 61, is also closed due to white-out conditions. 

Meanwhile, many roads in northern Minnesota are listed as completely covered in snow. You can find the latest road conditions here.

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