Jan 12, 2009 8:39 pm US/Central
First Snow, Then Cold ... And Repeat
MINNEAPOLIS (WCCO) ―
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A rollover accident on Highway 169 at Anderson Lakes Parkway East was captured on MnDOT cameras in Eden Prairie, Minn. on Monday, Jan. 12, 2008.
MnDOT
Minnesotans are getting up close and personal with winter weather conditions, with a fresh batch of snow, strong winds and frigid temperatures.
Snow flurries began in the Twin Cities metropolitan area mid-Monday morning. According to WCCO-TV meteorologist Chris Shaffer, the snow tapered off mid-afternoon but it will still look like its snowing with strong winds creating blowing and drifting snow.
The National Weather Service says that by the end of the day it will be blown around by wind gusts hitting 40 mph.
That will cause a rapid deterioration in travel across open areas, with whiteout conditions possible.
As for accumulation, the metro area saw anywhere from 1 to 5 inches.
Forecasts call for temperatures to sink into the negative digits overnight into Tuesday morning.
According to Shaffer, overnight lows tonight in the Twin Cities should reach 12 degrees below zero. Tuesday's high is expected to stall at 1 degree below zero.
It could be worse. Overnight lows in International Falls this week are expected to reach 30 to 40 degrees below zero.
This is the first of two waves of snow and cold temperatures the state will receive this week.
According to a Minnesota Department of Transportation spokesperson, plows are out in full force with about 200 trucks working on clearing snow and spreading salt.
Kent Barnard with MnDOT said its best for motorists to stay behind the plows and followed at an increased distance during this storm.
MnDOT also reported difficult driving conditions across southern and western Minnesota by Monday afternoon due to poor visibility and slippery roads.
"It's like a sea of whiteness; people can't see the road," said Rebecca Arndt, a spokeswoman for MnDOT in Mankato. "When the white fluffy stuff starts to blow, it is not pretty."
Some arrivals at Minneapolis-St. Paul International Airport were delayed by close to an hour Monday afternoon, the Federal Aviation Administration said.
The second wave of snow and cold air will arrive on Tuesday night. According to Shaffer, a second dose of snow will start later Tuesday night with a few inches falling overnight.
The snow is expected to taper off Wednesday morning and a second shot of cold air will arrive late Wednesday and stick around for the rest of the week.
Emergency officials warned people need to be on the lookout for frostbite and hypothermia during this week's cold snap.
Wind chills of 20 below can cause frostbite in just 15 minutes. Anyone with loss of feeling and a white appearance in their extremities should get medical help.
People also should watch out for uncontrollable shivering, disorientation and drowsiness -- all signs of hypothermia.
People also shouldn't exert themselves shoveling snow or pushing a car because cold weather puts an extra strain on the heart.
(© 2009 CBS Broadcasting Inc. All Rights Reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. The Associated Press contributed to this report.)
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