The afternoon rush hour is off to a very rough start as snow continues to fall in the metro area. Scanners are alive with calls for help as accidents mount.

A note to drivers in downtown Minneapolis and on other city streets. Snow is accumulating rapidly and vehicles are having trouble staying in their lanes. Remember to start slowing down early when approaching a stop sign or traffic light. Also allow lots of extra time to get up to speed when accelerating.

On freeways, snow has piled up in between the lanes, so use extra caution when switching lanes.

At present, here is a list of accidents as reported from MnDOT

672 Crash on Mainline T.H.10 WB @ Co Rd J Left lane blocked Wed @ 14:33 554 Crash on Mainline T.H.52 SB @ I-494 WB Just cleared Wed @ 14:51 820 Crash on Mainline I-94 WB @ 57th Ave Right lane blocked Wed @ 14:45 318 Crash on Mainline U.S.169 SB Left lane blocked Wed @ 14:56 437 Crash on Mainline I-494 EB @ Co Rd 6 Right shoulder blocked Wed @ 14:48 400 Crash on Mainline I-494 EB @ Valley Creek Rd Right shoulder blocked Wed @ 13:14 117 Crash on Mainline T.H.100 SB @ T.H.62 EB Left lane partially blocked Wed @ 14:47 725 Crash on Mainline I-694 EB @ 10th St Left shoulder blocked Wed @ 14:38 317 Crash on Mainline U.S.169 SB @ Co Rd 18 SB Right shoulder blocked Wed @ 14:28 904 Crash on Mainline I-394 WB @ Plymouth Rd Left lane blocked Wed @ 14:37 44 Crash on Mainline I-35E NB N of Co Rd 96 Left lane blocked Wed @ 14:03 819 Crash on Mainline I-694 WB @ I-94 EB Right shoulder blocked Wed @ 14:44