Areas of the Twin Cities started digging out of a record snowfall Saturday morning after a snow storm dropped up to 20 inches in some areas of the metro.
The National Weather Service is reporting 18.9 inches of snow in Inver Grove Heights, 18 inches fell in Rosemount, and 20 inches in Woodbury.
"We were predicting a big range from north to south across the metro, but it exceeded my expectations for how much actually fell," said WCCO Radio meteorologist Paul Douglas. "Friday night, a heavy band of snow stalled over the south metro, maybe 20 miles wide, and it just sat there for hour after hour."
The National Weather Service in the Twin Cities reported snowfall rates of two to three inches per hour at times overnight.
It was a different story for the north metro where snow totals ranged from one to four inches.
"There were a few 3 inch reports, even just a little south of St. Cloud got 3 inches, but it really dropped off north of the Twin Cities," said National Weather Service meteorologist Caleb Grunzke.
With cleanup starting early Saturday morning, the Minnesota Department of Transportation urged motorists to remain patient.
"The crews are just having some time to get on the roads without added snow," said MnDOT's Anne Meyer early Saturday morning. "The snow was heavier and wetter, and despite some wind, it isn't pushing the snow around a lot. The temperatures are also helping and making a big difference."
Meyer added that crews were able to get out during the early morning hours.
"They can push snow but one snowplow driver has a lot of territory to cover and multiple lanes of traffic, so it takes them awhile to do the full route of that particular section," Meyer said. "It gets challenging to keep up with those heavier snow rates."
Douglas said that the 11 inches of snow recorded at the Minneapolis-St. Paul International Airport was a record for December 10.
"If you love snow and you want to get out with the cross country skis or hit up some of the local ski resorts, get out this weekend," Douglas said. "Snow conditions are perfect. It could get a little messy next week with a warm-up on the way."
Temperatures on Monday and Tuesday are expected to reach near 40 degrees, with 50 a possibility on Wednesday.