Travel conditions continue to be impacted following Minnesota's first winter storm of the season
Minnesota's first winter storm of the season will push out Wednesday morning, but tough travel conditions and biting cold will linger.
A winter storm warning will remain in place through mid-morning, and a NEXT Weather Alert is also active.
NEXT Weather Watchers in central Minnesota reported between 5 and 8 inches, while the official measurement at Minneapolis-St. Paul International Airport was 3.1 inches.
Blowing snow will create reduced visibility and icy spots on Wednesday.
Much colder air will pour in behind the departing system, keeping highs in the 20s and wind chills in the single digits.
Thanksgiving looks to be quiet and bright, but cold, with highs in the 20s and light winds.
Another round of snow is set to arrive late Friday into Saturday, with a few more inches possible south of Interstate 94.
Early next week will likely turn even colder, with highs in the teens and single-digit lows as December begins.
Follow the updates below for the latest information.
Another 80 crashes on Minnesota roads Wednesday morning
The Minnesota State Patrol said another 80 crashes happened on the state's roads in a two-hour window Wednesday morning.
Between 6 and 8 a.m., there were 80 crashes with property damage and one crash that resulted in an injury, the patrol said. Seven vehicles spun out and 89 went off the road, while 11 semis jackknifed.
Earlier, the agency reported nearly 300 crashes between noon on Tuesday and 6 a.m. on Wednesday.
Plenty of delays at MSP Airport, but few cancellations
Wednesday is expected to be one of the busiest travel days in the lead-up to Thanksgiving, and luckily for travelers at MSP Airport, things seem to be going relatively smoothly amid the tail end of a winter storm.
According to the flight tracking website FlightAware, as of 7:22 a.m. there are just over 30 delays at the airport, with four cancellations so far.
Nearly 300 crashes on Minnesota roads amid winter storm, patrol says
The Minnesota State Patrol reported nearly 300 crashes on Minnesota roads between noon on Tuesday and 6 a.m. on Wednesday.
There were 253 crashes resulting in property damage and 30 with injuries, the patrol said. Additionally, 11 vehicles spun out and 333 left the road. Thirty semi trucks jackknifed.
Many of the major roadways in central and western Minnesota are completely covered on Wednesday morning, according to the Minnesota Department of Transportation, as well as some southern Minnesota roads. Twin Cities roads are partially covered, for the most part.
NEXT Weather Watchers report snow totals across Minnesota
WCCO's NEXT Weather Watcher Network is reporting several inches of accumulation in parts of the state amid Minnesota's first snowstorm of the season.
The highest totals were reported across central Minnesota. Moose Lake saw 8.3 inches reported, while Ottertail and Ashby both got 6.5.
Four inches were measured in Westbury, while St. Cloud saw 3.5.
The official measurement at Minneapolis-St. Paul International Airport was 3.1 inches, while other metro spots saw trace amounts or less than an inch.
Multiple Minnesota schools are closing or opening late Wednesday
A growing list of Minnesota schools has decided to close or open late on Wednesday as the storm moves through the state.
See the latest listings here.
Snow begins to fall in Twin Cities
Snow is finally starting to fall in the Twin Cities metro and is expected to continue for the next several hours.
WCCO will be streaming live radar and forecast maps all night on YouTube. Click here to watch.
State Patrol reports 27 crashes in west central Minnesota
The Minnesota State Patrol says troopers in the west central part of the state responded to 27 crashes between 9 a.m. and 9 p.m. on Tuesday.
Of those crashes, one was an injury crash, but it is not considered to be life-threatening.
An additional 75 vehicles ran off the road and had to be towed. Thirteen semis jackknifed, including several that blocked part of Interstate 94 east of Moorhead.
Travel conditions in the area have improved from "travel not advised" on the 511MN website to "completely covered."
Twin Cities businesses ready for first snow of the season
Travel not advised in west central Minnesota
Due to dangerous conditions, authorities are advising drivers to stay off the roads in west central Minnesota.
The National Weather Service says snowfall rates are expected to move east across central Minnesota within the next several hours.
Winds will continue to strengthen, contributing to brief white-out conditions.
Blizzard warning in effect for parts of Minnesota, Wisconsin
A blizzard warning is in effect for Big Stone and Traverse counties in western Minnesota until midnight, according to the National Weather Service.
Bayfield and Douglas counties in northern Wisconsin are also under a blizzard warning until midnight.
Widespread blowing snow could "significantly reduce visibility," the federal agency said. High winds also have the potential to bring down tree branches.
Driving experts urge motorists to slow down during winter storms and give at least seven seconds of following distance.
Road conditions start to deteriorate in parts of state
State troopers in west-central Minnesota responded to several crashes early Tuesday evening.
As of 5 p.m., travel is not advised for many highways in parts of western Minnesota, according to 511MN. Several roads in central and northern Minnesota are reported to be completely or partially covered. Road conditions in the Twin Cities metro area and southern Minnesota are listed as normal.
If you're driving, it's always best to be prepared with a winter emergency kit in your car.
