Snow will no doubt make rush hour a big, big hassle

By Tom Ford, Star Tribune

Last update: March 12, 2006 - 9:03 PM

Heed the warning, commuters. The Twin Cities area, along with areas north and west, could get dumped on, with anywhere from a half-inch to 10 or more inches of snow predicted to be on the ground by midday Monday.

"We definitely could have double the commute times," said Kent Barnard, a state Department of Transportation spokesman. "You may be late."

A winter storm warning was in effect for the Twin Cities until noon today. Areas north and west, including Hutchinson and Redwood Falls, probably will be the hardest hit, said National Weather Service forecaster Jim Richardson. Those spots could receive about 10 inches, possibly a foot of snow, he said. Four to 8 inches is predicted for most of the Twin Cities, he said.

Barnard said that MnDOT could have about 200 plows out; where and how many crews will be dispatched will depend on where and when the snow comes. The recent warmth means there's less chance the snow will stick to the roads, Barnard said.