A thin layer of snow fell overnight until about shortly before dawn Sunday, leaving numerous motorists overwhelmed on highways in the Twin Cities area.
Crashes and spinouts in the metro area showed greater accumulation than the actual snowfall, with incidents reported in Lino Lakes, North St. Paul, Eden Prairie, Apple Valley, South St. Paul and just about any Twin Cities suburb, according to the Minnesota Department of Transportation.
Shortly after midnight in Minneapolis, a crash involving up to six vehicles on Olson Hwy. got the emergency dispatch scanner crackling. Other crashes on or near Interstate 94 close to downtown Minneapolis also had authorities hopping.
No Twin Cities agencies have reported fatalities from any of the incidents.
"As the temperature nears freezing, and there is precipitation, the roadways can become slippery," said Patrol Lt. Heath Dienger. "It is important for motorists to remember to slow down during these times, and allow themselves extra time to arrive at their destinations."
Washington County Sheriff's Sgt. Brad Marquardt said he arrived to work Sunday morning just fine, but his agency was dealing with several motorists who were not as lucky dealing with the snow. Drivers seem to have difficulty adjusting early on to wintry weather's arrival in the first few weeks, he said.
"And I have two youngsters [driving]," Marquardt said. "I hope they don't learn the hard way."
After dark Saturday, a smattering of crashes on slick surfaces popped up west of the Twin Cities, according to the State Patrol. One wreck in Stearns County on County Road 15 left two people hurt.
