The Minnesota State Patrol reported that between 6 a.m. and 10:30 a.m. statewide Wednesday, deputies responded to 61 crashes and 39 vehicle exits.
MINNEAPOLIS – A two-day winter storm with several inches of fresh snow, sub-zero temperatures and high winds is now making its way across Minnesota, adding another layer of anxiety to travelers this holiday.
of Minnesota State Patrol reported that between 6 a.m. and 10:30 a.m. statewide Wednesday, deputies responded to 61 crashes, 39 vehicle break-ins and a semi stabbing. The MSP said four of those crashes resulted in injuries, but none were serious or fatal.
Minnesota Department of Transportation spokeswoman Anne Meyer said as of Wednesday afternoon, 800 plows were staffed across the state — 200 of them in the Twin Cities metro — working around the clock to clear roads.
“They will be working 12-hour shifts to keep plowing the roads 24 hours a day until the roads are back to clear – and with strong winds blowing snow back onto the roads and extreme cold temperatures, the clearing process will take more.” Meyer said.
But drivers aren’t the only commuters affected by this latest round of winter weather. Those hoping to reach their destinations by air before the holiday weekend are also facing possible delays and cancellations. As of Wednesday afternoon, 14 cancellations and 27 delays were reported at MSP International Airport.
To get to your destination, travel experts recommend giving yourself enough time to get to the airport safely, checking your flight status frequently, and/or asking about canceling your trip with your airline if you need to change your plans.
The system in Minnesota is coinciding with a broader winter blast that has moved from the Pacific Northwest north of the Rockies, and is now flying over the Midwest. Forecasters predict that the cold will spread to south Florida by Friday.
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