Heavy snow causes a messy afternoon commute

by Paul Huttner, Minnesota Public Radio

St. Paul, Minn. — With snow falling most of the day, Metro commuters prepared for a messy afternoon commute. Four to six inches of snow had fallen in the area, and forecasters were expecting the snow to end later tonight.

The latest winter storm is on track with snow increasing across Minnesota today.

Various forecasts estimate snowfall amounts from 6 to 10 inches in a band of snow ranging from near Redwood Falls to Willmar and into the northwest Metro and on to Rice Lake and Hayward.

The heaviest snow amounts in the Metro are expected in the northern Metro.

Temperatures just above freezing in the lowest 5,000 feet will keep precipitation as rain from the south metro southward for a while today limiting snow amounts.

Afternoon rush hour will be the toughest travel time today around much of Minnesota. Though temperatures will be above freezing in the Metro for much of today, wet roads may become slippery later today and tonight as temperatures fall.

It is still expected that the snow will melt quickly as temperatures approach 50 degrees later this week.