Introduction
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A winter storm is expected to bring heavy snow to the upper Midwest this weekend.
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Hazardous travel conditions are possible Monday morning.
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Find live updates on the winter storm below.
Minneapolis (Fox 9) – The winter storm is expected to bring heavy snow to parts of Minnesota and Wisconsin late Saturday into Sunday, which could lead to hazardous travel conditions through Monday.
Watch FOX 9’s live broadcast in the player above and find live updates on the winter storm below. download FOX 9 Weather App For location-based alerts.
Read more:
Minneapolis and St. Paul declare early snow emergency
what we know
Minneapolis Mayor Jacob Frey and St. Paul Mayor Kauchlih announced at a press conference Saturday afternoon that the two cities have preemptively declared a snow emergency ahead of a major winter storm that will hit the Twin Cities Saturday night and much of Sunday.
In St. Paul, residents were encouraged to move their vehicles out of plowed lanes Saturday night. She said the city will open the Section 19 parking ramp in downtown St. Paul at 5 p.m. Saturday for residents to park for free. Select parks and recreation areas will also be open for parking.
The city of Minneapolis will implement a snow emergency starting at 9 p.m. Sunday. Frey said the city of Minneapolis will open its farmers market and Salvation Army parking lots at 2 p.m. Saturday for free until next Wednesday.
Ramp A in downtown Minneapolis will open at 6 a.m. Sunday and vehicles can park there until 8 p.m. Wednesday for a $1 fee.
“Our snowplow drivers are ready to go. For them, this is their Super Bowl and they’ve been preparing for this type of snow event all year,” Frey said.
A blizzard warning has been issued
The National Weather Service has issued a blizzard warning for much of central and southern Minnesota, starting Saturday afternoon and lasting through the weekend into Monday morning. It includes the entire Twin Cities metropolitan area and other counties – Hennepin, Ramsey, Anoka, Carver, Benton, Sherburne, Stearns, Wright, Chisago, Dakota, Isanti, Scott, Washington and Goodhue counties.
A major snowstorm is expected to hit the Twin Cities and much of the state starting Saturday night. South-central Minnesota will experience wintry rain, freezing rain and sleet late Saturday night along with strong winds.
Heavy snow is expected to fall across widespread areas, making travel across the state likely to be nearly impossible late Saturday night and into Sunday. A narrow band within this system could bring heavy snow to some areas of far-eastern central Minnesota and west-central Wisconsin.
Snowfall rates could reach 2-3 inches per hour
7:30 am
During this storm, snowfall rates of up to 2-3 inches per hour are possible. The heaviest snowfall is expected in southern Minnesota and near the Twin Cities, as well as in Wisconsin.
A blizzard warning has been issued
7 am
A blizzard warning has been issued for parts of western and southern Minnesota, with widespread heavy snow expected Saturday night.
Traffic is expected to be difficult to nearly impossible by early Sunday morning, according to the National Weather Service.
Find the latest weather alerts for Minnesota here.
Eden Prairie prepares for snow emergency
Why you should care
The predicted snowstorm could cause several Twin Cities communities to declare snow emergencies, meaning residents will need to move their cars if they are parked on the street. The City of Eden Prairie sent out a notice to residents about what to expect Saturday night into Monday morning.
How do they plan to respond
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Crews will be working throughout the storm to maintain safe, passable roads.
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With the storm expected to last for multiple days, every street throughout Eden Prairie will likely need multiple sweeps.
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Comprehensive roadside cleanup will take place when weather conditions permit.
What residents need to know
Once snow accumulation reaches 2 inches, a snow emergency is in effect and parking on city streets is illegal.
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Please do not park on city streets before noon on Monday, March 16 – even if they have been plowed.
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Please keep in mind that since this is expected to be a multi-day event, each street throughout Eden Prairie may need to be plowed multiple times.
Girls State Basketball Tournament Game Transfers
timeline
Because of an approaching snowstorm, the Minnesota High School League is moving Saturday’s girls state basketball tournament forward so fans can safely attend and teams can safely return to their communities.
Here is the updated schedule:
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Class A – Mountain Iron-Buhl vs. Sleepy Eye St. Mary’s, 12 noon (Williams Arena)
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Class AA – Providence College vs. Duluth Marshall, 4:30 p.m. (Williams Arena)
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Class AAA – Benilde-St. Margaret vs. Stewartville, 2 p.m. (Williams Arena)
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Class AAAA – Hopkins vs. Rosemont, 6:30 p.m. (Williams Arena)
