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It’s a mystery of a Minnesota winter. How can a mere 1.7 inches of snow cause over 200 traffic mishaps? 

The answer has much more to do with temperature than 

Snowfall totals were on the lighter side across the Twin Cities Thursday. 

But what fell was more than enough to turn roads into crash test zones. 

The Minnesota State Patrol counted 252 accidents or spinouts with 18 injuries as of 11 a.m. Thursday. 

It’s one of those ironies of a Minnesota winter. An inch of snow at 15 degrees can cause way more traffic problems that 6 inches at 30 degrees. 

Road chemicals just don’t work as well with pavement and air temperatures colder than 15 degrees. Take a look at temperatures in the Twin Cities this morning. Most of the snow fell with temperatures in the mid-teens.

The physics of snow, temperature, and driving make for some icy realities.  

Wheel-track glazing occurs when ice crystals within the thin layer of snow are crushed beneath your warmer tires. The result can be rapid melting, then instant freezing. 

 from the Iowa Department of Transportation.

It’s a reminder to pay as much attention to temperature forecasts during snowfall events. There is often better traction on roads with several inches of snow at 30 degrees, than with an inch at 10 or 15 degrees.

Weather and Climate News

Updraft® - Minnesota Weather News

Paul Huttner

Author

The combination of cold temperatures and light snow often creates more driving hazardous than heavier snow at warmer temperatures. 

A spin out on westbound I-94 in Brooklyn Center

Why does 1.7 inches of snow cause over 200 traffic mishaps?

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