ST. PAUL - The leading edge of a snow storm spreading across the Upper Midwest arrived in the Twin Cities earlier than expected today, doubling and tripling many commute times.
The Minnesota State Patrol investigated 145 accidents and received reports of 101 vehicles off the road and spinning out during morning rush hour. Nine injuries, none serious, were reported by the patrol.
While the Twin Cities was hit early, all of Minnesota except for the extreme northwest was in a winter storm warning or winter weather advisory, the National Weather Service reported. Heavy snow also was predicted in much of South Dakota and the southern part of North Dakota.
Wisconsin was in the advisory area and the northwestern half of Iowa was receiving heavy snow, too.
Snow in much of the Upper Midwest was expected to be heaviest tonight, but last well into Tuesday, or even into Tuesday night in Wisconsin. Icing is possible in some of the southern parts of the region.
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Western and south central Minnesota, along with nearby areas of South Dakota and North Dakota, could get more than 8 inches of snow, the weather service said, with some spots getting as much as 10 inches. Much of the rest of Minnesota and Wisconsin were looking at 3 to 5 inches.
The first couple of inches were enough to clog many Twin Cities freeways this morning.
At least two Metro Transit buses spun out and 30 miles of traffic on Interstate 94 from Hudson, Wis., to downtown Minneapolis was moving at a crawl, or not moving at all. A light rail crash slowed trains in the Twin Cities.
Some freeways and ramps were ice covered, with reports of several trucks not able to negotiate the ice on uphill exit ramps.
After a mid-day lull, heavy snow was expected in time for the afternoon commute. "Our seasonably mild conditions will take a turn towards the white side starting later on Monday," said Greg Gust, warning coordination meteorologist with the National Weather Service in Grand Forks, N.D. "Pay close attention to the forecast as this storm unfolds."
In west central Minnesota, icy drizzle created slick road conditions in the region this morning before the snow began.
Plow trucks were on the roads treating icy areas and will continue to work of keeping roads open through 10:30 p.m., according to Mandi Lighthizer-Schmidt, public affairs coordinator with the Minnesota Department of Transportation District 8 office in Willmar.
The plows will be back out early Tuesday, and will continue to plow roads as the need exists, she said.
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Even with the snow, much of the ice around the Upper Midwest was not safe. In light of an ice skater falling through near Pillager, Minn., last week, authorities are issuing warnings.
Pillager Fire Chief Randy Lee said that "any ice is not really walkable yet. I would say be very careful going on any ice and check it as you are going."
Cass County Sheriff Tom Burch said there is no ice that should ever be considered truly safe. "This time of year, being on the ice is very dangerous," Burch said.
Meanwhile, Minnesota snowmobile trails technically open Tuesday, but most are not ready.
Before snowmobile trails may be used, the ground must be frozen, about 12 inches of snow must be on the ground and trails must be cleared of debris. The Minnesota Department of Natural Resources recommends at leave 5 inches ice before snowmobiles are used on bodies of water.
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By Don Davis, Forum News Service
Reporters Kevin Bonham, Tom Cherveny and Chelsey Perkins contributed to this report.
