The Twin Cities didn't get off scot-free this time, but southern Minnesota once again took the brunt of the season's latest snowstorm with some towns getting more than half a foot.
Sunday was snowiest day in the metro in nearly 3 months
The snow was a factor in a multicar pileup that temporarily shut down I-694 in Fridley
March 13, 2017 at 6:57PM
Mainline roads remained partly snow covered in the metro area Monday morning after more than 4 inches of snow fell in spots, while other parts of the Twin Cities barely saw anything.
But to the southwest and southeast of the Twin Cities roads remained snow covered and treacherous Monday morning, the Minnesota Department of Transportation said.
Sunday was the snowiest day in the Twin Cities since Dec. 16, the National Weather Service said, and the white stuff led to scores of traffic mishaps. Between noon and 8:30 p.m. Sunday, the State Patrol responded to 227 crashes and 59 spinouts in the metro area. There were no serious injuries or deaths, but 25 people were injured, the patrol said.
Statewide there were 384 crashes, the patrol said.
The most dramatic was a multicar pileup around 5 p.m. Sunday on I-694 near Central Avenue in Fridley that led to the freeway being shut down for a short time.
Classes in a number of districts were delayed 2 hours on Monday, including in Cannon Falls, Comfrey, Fairmont, Mankato, Marshall, Pine Island, St. James and Winona.
Wabasso southwestern Minnesota, saw the most snow with 11 inches. Close behind was Redwood Falls with 9.8 inches, St. James and Madelia with 9.5 inches, Winnebago and Blue Earth with 8 inches, 7.4 inches in Mankato and 7 inches in Albert Lea.
Across the metro, totals included 4.5 inches in Chanhassen and Apple Valley, 4.2 inches in Burnsville, 3.8 inches in Prior Lake and 3.7 inches at the Minneapolis-St. Paul International Airport. On the lighter end of the spectrum 2.3 inches fell in Robbinsdale, 1.7 inches in Champlin and 1 inch in Roseville, the weather service said.
A Winter Weather Advisory for the metro is set to expire at 7 a.m. Monday as the snow moves out of the area. After a cloudy start Monday and a high of 27, a slow warming trend will begin. Temperatures will crack the freezing mark on Wednesday and rise into the 40s Thursday through Sunday. The period should be dry except for a chance of rain or snow on Thursday night and Friday morning, the weather service said.
Tim Harlow • 612-673-7768
The special election Nov. 5 will determine whether the GOP flips control of the state Senate or the DFL stays in charge.
