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North metro sees deepest snowfall in Twin Cities

The far northern edge of the metro was hit the hardest by a weekend snowstorm that blanketed the Twin Cities. St. Francis in northern Anoka County led the way with 9 inches of snow, followed by Nowthen and Oak Grove, according to the National Weather Service.

By Paul Walsh

February 26, 2018 at 2:54AM

The far northern edge of the metro was hit the hardest by a weekend snowstorm that blanketed the Twin Cities.

St. Francis in northern Anoka County led the way with 9 inches of snow, followed by Nowthen and Oak Grove, according to the National Weather Service.

Statewide, the North Shore outdid the rest. Grand Marais came in at nearly 13 inches, and Duluth and Two Harbors had 8½ inches each.

Highways and other driving surfaces remained slippery in some spots. A semitrailer truck lost its traction Sunday morning on eastbound Interstate 694 near Rice Street in Vadnais Heights , according to the State Patrol. All lanes on that side of the interstate were blocked.

Motorists who park on city streets need to check for notifications about snow emergencies. They are in effect in Minneapolis, St. Paul and many suburbs.

The State Patrol tallied 79 crashes statewide from midnight to 11 a.m. Sunday. In all, 129 vehicles slid off roads or spun out.

One fatal crash was reported on Saturday amid the snowstorm. James L. DeMarais, 77, was killed when his southbound sports-utility vehicle went through a stop sign and collided with an eastbound pickup truck east of Foley about 5 p.m., the State Patrol said.

The other driver, James Robert Ladwig, 43, of Circle Pines, was hospitalized with minor injuries.

The snow should melt soon. Temps top out in the upper 30s on Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday, according to the Weather Service.

However, rain and snow are expected Wednesday night into Thursday.

Paul Walsh • 612-673-4482

Barbra Skubitz from Arden Hills carried her neighbor Alex on her back during the Rock the Cradle Pop Up Ski Party at Afton Alps. (Star Tribune/The Minnesota Star Tribune)

Jason Mai of Brooklyn Park enjoyed the fresh snow at the city’s Central Park on Sunday. The north metro felt the brunt of the weekend storm. (The Minnesota Star Tribune)