The Minnesota State Patrol reporting dozens of accidents and spinouts as our snow system continues to make its way through the state.
State Patrol spokesperson Gordon Shank says the metro has more cars on the road and that’s causing more accidents, but the weather is affecting roads all across the state. As of 4:00 pm, they report 187 crashes and 79 vehicle spin outs plus five jackknifed semis.
“We’re seeing crashes across the state, and vehicles in the ditch across the state,” says Shank. “There’s not really an area we’re seeing more or less. Obviously with the traffic volume in the metro compared to other areas, troopers do see more crashes, vehicles in the ditch in those situations.”
An accident on 35W near Elko New Market involving three semis and a car forced the freeway's closure for a bit earlier this afternoon.
Shank says the one thing people need to do first is slow down.
“Give yourself extra time. That’s what we continue to see, that a lot of these crashes are driving too fast for the conditions.”
There have been a handful of snow emergencies declared in the metro, including Minneapolis, St. Paul, St. Louis Park, Bloomington and Plymouth.
As for the snow, Duluth has been the dumping ground for snow with more than 17 inches so far. WCCO Meteorologist Paul Douglas expects the snow to taper to flurries this evening. Temps stay cold through this week with another shot at some snow Thursday.
Then, says Douglas, the weather warms up into the 30’s which is closer to average for this time of year.
