Minneapolis and St. Paul declared snow emergencies that took effect at 9 p.m. Tuesday.

MINNEAPOLIS

Phase 1: Until 8 a.m. Wednesday, don't park on either side of snow-emergency routes until they have been fully plowed to the curb. Snow-emergency routes are marked with red snow-emergency signs and/or blue street-name signs.

The transition: Parking resumes on Phase 1 streets once they have been fully plowed.

Phase 2: Between 8 a.m. and 8 p.m. Wednesday, don't park on city parkways and the even-numbered side of residential (non-snow-emergency route) streets until they have been fully plowed to the curb.

The transition: Parking resumes on Phase 2 streets once they have been fully plowed.

Phase 3: Between 8 a.m. and 8 p.m. Thursday, don't park on the odd-numbered side of residential (non-snow-emergency route) streets until they have been fully plowed to the curb. After 8 p.m. Thursday, parking resumes on both sides of all streets unless posted otherwise.

ST. PAUL

Phase 1 (night plowing): Parking is prohibited on night plow streets until snow has been plowed to the curb. Generally, these include downtown and arterial streets and one side of north-south residential streets. The affected streets are posted as "night plow route" or "night plow route – this side of street."

The transition: Cars must be removed from Phase 2 streets by 8 a.m. Wednesday.

Phase 2 (day plowing): Starting at 8 a.m. Wednesday, all day plow routes (nonposted east-west residential streets and nonposted sides of north-south residential streets) are plowed. Parking is prohibited on these streets until snow has been plowed to the curb.

OTHER COMMUNITIES

Rules vary by municipality; contact local government offices for specifics.

Sources: City of Minneapolis, city of St. Paul