Icy roads clog for dangerous commute

Interstate 494 at Highway 5
Interstate 494 at Highway 5
Minnesota Department of Transportation

Updated: 10:10 a.m. | Posted: 8:25 a.m.

The previous day's winter storm and very cold weather overnight combined to create treacherous conditions for commuters on Friday morning.

The Minnesota State Patrol reported 266 crashes between 10 p.m. Thursday and 10 a.m. on Friday. Those crashes included 23 injuries, although no serious injuries or deaths were reported.

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Crashes slowed traffic throughout the metro area on Friday morning. Interstate 94 in Minneapolis and Interstate 694 from Rogers to Arden Hills were especially backed up, according to the agency's traffic map.

MnDOT spokesperson Kevin Gutknecht said very low temperatures across the state overnight made it difficult to get roads completely free of snow and ice.

"Salt is the primary thing that we use to deal with ice, and salt needs certain temperatures in which to work," Gutknecht said. "It works much better in warmer temperatures -- when it gets this cold, it gets to be a problem."

Rice, Minnesota, reported the coldest temperatures in the state early Friday, with a wind chill measured at minus 31 Fahrenheit, according to the National Weather Service.

Gutknecht said sunny weather and fewer cars out on Friday should make it easier to get roads cleared for the evening commute.

A storm that included heavy winds and snow marched across the southern and central parts of the state on Thursday.

Between 1 and 3 inches of snow fell Thursday in wide swaths of the southern, central and northeastern parts of the state. High winds reduced visibility and led the Minnesota Department of Transportation to urge motorists to stay off the roads on Thursday evening.

At least four state patrol squad cars were struck by motorists through the course of the storm, with one trooper able to drive himself to the hospital to receive treatment. One pedestrian who exited his vehicle on Interstate 35E was also struck on Thursday evening by an oncoming car.

The weather contributed to at least 654 crashes during Thursday's commutes, which led to 87 injuries, although no one was killed, according to the Minnesota State Patrol.

Temperatures are expected to continue to dip below zero each night for the next week or so. Forecasters predict a thaw by next weekend.

Winter driving advice from the Minnesota State Patrol