3 p.m. update: It's already a white-knuckle drive

The winter wallop has turned metro area roads treacherous with heavy slushy snow accumulating in between the lanes of busy highways and covering ramps, bridges and sidestreets.

Freezing temperatures and high winds will make roads deteriorate quickly, making for an icy mess that is already causing chaos on the roads.

Vehicles are slipping off the roads and crashes are mounting. Already we have nine wrecks on the system, including one blocking two lanes on northbound 169 at I-494 in Eden Prairie.

Entrance and exit ramps are extremely tricky. This list of spinouts on ramps as of 3 p.m.

Westbound 494 at France Avenue

Westbound Hwy. 36 at Rice Street

Westbound 694 at Central Avenue

Transit riders won't be immune to delays either. This memo from Minnesota Valley Transit Authority officials:

A snowy, difficult commute is predicted for both this afternoon and tomorrow morning's rush hours. At this time we plan to operate our trips according to regular weekday schedules, but please keep in mind that delays could be likely.

Metro Transit also says riders can expect delays.

This from Maple Grove Transit: Buses will be running a full schedule today, but trips may get delayed due to the snow storm. Please note that many commuters are attemtping to leave for home on earlier trips out of Minneapolis. Maple Grove Transit is unable to put on additional buses, so some trips may reach their maximum carrying capacity.

SouthWest Transit riders:

Express buses will not stop at the Chanhassen Station. A shuttle bus will take riders from Southwest Village to the Chanhassen Station.

Route 687 from Target to the southwest suburbs: The 4:15 and 4:45 pm departures from Target North Campus will operate. The 5:15 departure will not operate.