How much snow has fallen in Minnesota?

[MUSIC PLAYING] NINA MOINI: Our top story this afternoon is, of course, this first kind of major snowfall for much of the state, including the Twin Cities metro. A winter storm warning is in effect for much of central and southeast Minnesota until midnight. More than 100 schools are closed or have delayed start. Dozens of spinouts and crashes have already been reported across the state.

So we're going to check in with the Minnesota Department of Transportation in a few minutes for talking about the roads. But first, let's check in with MPR meteorologist Mandy Thalhuber. Thanks for being with us, Mandy.

MANDY THALHUBER: Of course, Nina. Good afternoon.

NINA MOINI: Good afternoon. It was kind of nasty this morning, the commute in. But it seems, as I look out my window here in St. Paul, that the worst of the snow seems to have passed or the most? What are you seeing?

MANDY THALHUBER: Yeah, so we did have an intense burst of snow move through early this morning and kind of taper off around the 10 o'clock hour. But as of right now, we do see an intense band of snow, mainly for Wright County, just south of Annandale near the Cokato area.

This is also pushing through Carver County. It should approach the southwestern metro, I'd say within the hour, and could move through the remainder of the metro, just a light band of intense snow showers. Probably could see another 1/2 inch, maybe to an inch, with this particular system that is moving through. But yes, like you said, a bulk of the snow is done for the day.

NINA MOINI: And how much more snow do you foresee coming? Does it just depend on where you are?

MANDY THALHUBER: It really does. And so the snowfall totals that we've seen already have been quite impressive with how quick this system moved through. Blakely reported 6 and 1/2 inches. That's the southwestern metro. Carver came in at 5.3. Richfield also over 5 inches. Minneapolis, so far, has reported just under 4 inches, officially 3.7 inches of snowfall.

North metro did pick up some snow as well. I think the snow observers are a little bit sleepy in the north metro because we haven't seen too many reports yet for them. But as far as what's going to come, the remainder of the afternoon and evening hours is going to really depend on the low pressure system that's actually entering southwestern Minnesota right now.

And as this low continues to push southeast towards northeastern Iowa by tonight, we're going to see some wraparound snow showers. And what that's going to do is that's going to maybe produce another 1 to maybe 2 inches of snow on top of what has already fallen.

NINA MOINI: All right. So this isn't exactly over yet, this weather event. We want to mention that we just got news that Minneapolis, the city of Minneapolis, has declared a snow emergency. There's parking restrictions that begin at 9 o'clock tonight. So wondering, looking ahead, Mandy, are we going to take a nosedive again with temperatures? Because that really does seem to impact how much of the snow sticks around, right?

MANDY THALHUBER: Yes, and what also is a factor with the winter storm warnings and advisories continuing, like you said, until midnight and 3:00 AM respectively, the reason those are going to be continuing is, we're going to have some very gusty northwesterly winds that will be developing behind this low this afternoon.

Now, these winds will gust 30 to 40 miles per hour, the strongest winds expected across western and south central Minnesota. But as all we know, blowing snow becomes an issue, especially with traveling because it leads to reduced visibility. So that's why we have the extended warnings and advisories, even though the snow will be done by the overnight hours tonight. It's the blowing snow that will continue to cause issues for us.

NINA MOINI: Oh, that's a good point. Thank you for that. What about next week? Lots of folks beginning their holiday travels-- maybe this weekend. What are you forecasting temperature wise?

MANDY THALHUBER: Yeah, so as far as the temperatures go, we will take that dive that you mentioned. Temperatures will fall well into the single digits tonight, even some teens below zero for western and northwestern Minnesota. That will put our wind chill values with the temperatures 20 degrees below zero for northwestern--

NINA MOINI: Oof.

MANDY THALHUBER: --Minnesota here and-- yeah, very cold here in the metro area. Temps will fall subzero. It is going to be a chilly one for most students' last day before winter break. So definitely want to bundle up for late tonight into early tomorrow.

The temperatures will continue to be a little bit cool into the weekend, but as we look ahead to the week of Christmas, we are going to have temperatures running about 10 to 15 degrees above average. Our average high is about 28 degrees for this time of the year. Looking ahead, we'll definitely see some melting next week.

But a white Christmas is still possible for areas that picked up 4 to 6 inches of snow. We'll see that significant melting next week. But we could be left with, hopefully, a couple inches of snow to make the landscape a little more pleasant for the holiday season.

NINA MOINI: Yeah, we'll see. We know you'll keep us up to date. Thank you, Mandy.

MANDY THALHUBER: Thank you, Nina.

NINA MOINI: That was MPR News meteorologist Mandy Thalhuber. And the winter weather, as we all know, does affect all types of travel today. It could impact travel really going into the holiday weekend and beyond.

And this morning, the FAA issued a ground stop at Minneapolis-St. Paul International Airport due to snow and ice. More than 130 delays and 4 cancelations have been reported. Jeff Lea, with the Metropolitan Airports Commission that oversees the airport, said tomorrow, Friday, is expected to be the busiest day ahead of Christmas at MSP.

JEFF LEA: This may be the worst of it before the holidays. And we have a full crew out there. And airlines have their full crews. And again, it started this morning. But the intensity, the worst of it appears by forecast that that's over. And then the snow intensity is going to drop off. And that should help everybody out there on the airfield.

NINA MOINI: The roads are messy, too. For an update on conditions, let's turn to Anne Meyer, a spokesperson for MnDOT. Thank you so much for being with us, Anne.

ANNE MEYER: Thank you. Yes, it's been a busy morning and will continue to be a busy afternoon.

NINA MOINI: Yeah. Well, I said the roads are messy, too, but I haven't really been out and about now in about five hours. So I'm curious, how are the roads looking for you, I guess, across the state where you're monitoring?

ANNE MEYER: Improving. Now that that bulk of the snow is gone, it really has helped our crews really catch up. This morning when we saw a heavy snow rate, hours, and hours of snowfall, that's what really made the morning commute challenging.

But now that the snow has somewhat tapered off, we might see some rounds, but nothing like we saw this morning. I do anticipate roads getting better for the evening commute, but that doesn't mean that there won't be some slick spots out there throughout the next couple of days, just because of the amount of snow that we got. So we want drivers to do their part to stay safe, slow down, keep a good distance between yourself and other drivers, and be watchful for those slick spots.

NINA MOINI: Yeah, those are always good reminders. We really can't tell folks enough, especially when it's kind of the first major event of the season. I'm curious how MnDOT treats the roads for the type of storm that we're in currently or we're in.

ANNE MEYER: Yeah, typically the material we use the most is a combination of rock salt and brine. So we spread rock salt, but we also wet it down with the brine as it's being applied to the roadway. This helps us in two main areas. It keeps that rock salt where we want it, which is in the road. It's not bouncing off or going up into tire treads. It also activates that rock salt faster, so we're able to get faster results.

But I'll tell you, with 4 to 6 inches of snow out there, we've got a lot to not only plow off, but also get that last layer. We've had a lot of traffic going over the snow that's come, so we've got some compaction out there, and that's just going to take a little bit longer to get in the clear. So be patient. Pack your patience.

No traffic will be impacted today into tomorrow because we've got a lot of snow to clean up off the shoulders as well. So once we get the main lines clear, we'll start working on those areas. And our crews will certainly be on the roads through Friday.

NINA MOINI: Yeah, and we're just learning in the newsroom, St. Paul also has declared a snow emergency. One of the things I've learned in a past reporting, Anne, is that when you're in the 20s range temperature wise, that that's helpful for the treatment.

But then when you dip down below zero, it can render some of those things ineffective. And we just heard from Mandy Thalhuber that we're going to be taking a huge nosedive in temperatures overnight. What's MnDOT's plan for that?

ANNE MEYER: Not ineffective. It certainly slows everything down. Our rock salt will still work. But in those freezing cold temperatures-- that's why we have a little bit longer, typically in January cleanup because of those really frigid temperatures. That compaction just gets so much harder, and then in that cold activity. Now we do have some additives we can add that helps lower and keep that rock salt and brine effective at those colder temperatures.

But honestly, we should be able to clear out a lot of the snow that fell before we get into those deep freeze. What I'm more worried about, though, is the wind that was also mentioned. We're going to see some blowback in some areas especially prone to that. So be mindful that even though the hard snow stopped falling, it doesn't mean that we're not going to have some snow blowing back on, creating more issues out there, at least temporarily.

NINA MOINI: Yep, lights on and slowing down, everybody. And Anne, with how warm it was last winter, many folks might be out of practice driving in the snow. What's some other advice that you would give to drivers? Do you need a kid in your car? What's some of your advice?

ANNE MEYER: My best advice is just to always know before you go. We encourage everybody before they get behind the wheel, take a look at what's happening. Whether it's weather reports or road condition reports, highway camera, snowplow cameras, all of that information really helps you make the best travel decisions for your day.

As we saw this morning, really challenging out there. Maybe it was better to wait for your travel. As you get into this evening commute, you might, especially along your route, see some improvement, and that might make it a little bit easier for you. So always know before you go. It's such a helpful tool all winter long.

NINA MOINI: Absolutely. Anne, thanks so much for your update, and best of luck with everything.

ANNE MEYER: Yes, everybody stay safe.

NINA MOINI: Thank you. That was Anne Meyer with MnDOT.