Frigid temperatures this weekend prompt cold weather advisories

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Our lovely, lingering, longer-than-usual fall is over, Minnesota — and winter is off to a fierce start.

Follow the snow

Your forecast

Winter's first snow

. Some areas are being told to expect a foot-plus of snow accumulation. 

Forecasts say the Minneapolis-St. Paul metro area will be spared the brunt of it this time, but ought to expect snow and colder temperatures. 

The National Weather Service's Twin Cities center has already put its snow-measuring equipment in place.

Winter is here, and it promises to pack a punch.

Why are no two snowflakes the same?

It's been a while since our last snowy commute. And while forecasts suggest drivers in the Twin Cities won't run into much snowy trouble, covered roads could become an issue for drivers north and west.

Check conditions on your travel route

Check schedules, routes and delays

"Folks should plan ahead and look to see if they can maybe leave a little bit earlier for work, maybe take a different route," MnDOT's Kevin Gutknecht told MPR News in 2014. "Certainly take their time."

And make sure your car is prepped for the weather.

https://twitter.com/kggutknecht/status/799244712473411584

The Minnesota Department of Public Safety offers 

a checklist for getting your vehicle prepped for winter weather

Expect driving to be tough, as travelers remind themselves how to drive in the newly fallen snow. 

The DPS reminds drivers to stay off the roads during snowstorms if conditions aren't conducive to travel. 

Other tips: Leave extra space between cars, stay at least five lengths behind plows, keep your headlights on while it's snowing, don't use cruise control — and take your time.

What to do if you get stranded in a snowstorm

Brush up on winter driving fundamentals

Our first storm of the year could pack a heavy one-two punch of lots of snow and high winds. That combination makes for prime power-outage conditions.

Outages map

And don't forget to take the shovel to your sidewalks. 

Minneapolis handed down 741 fines for sidewalk-shoveling scofflaws in 2014

Although it's not likely the Twin Cities will see a great deal of accumulation this time around, it's never too early to sign up for snow emergency notifications. 

Depending on how cold it gets, dogs accustomed to blowing off steam in the backyard might find themselves penned up inside mdash; and driving their owners bonkers.

To persuade reluctant dogs to go outside at all, Maureen Haggerty, owner of The Canine Coach in Minneapolis, recommends making the yard slightly more comfortable for dogs to find a place that is sheltered from the wind. An area between a shrub and a house can be perfect for smaller dogs.

For those who still want to take their dogs along for outdoor activities in the winter, dog experts recommend checking with your veterinarian to see if your dog can handle extended treks in cold weather.

How to keep dogs healthy and happy during extreme cold and snow

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Our lovely, lingering, longer-than-usual fall is over, Minnesota — and winter is off to a fierce start.


Winter is here: Your guide to the season's first snow

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