Prompts winter weather advisories as cold air moves in Friday night

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Winter storms blanketed the region with a soft snow on Saturday.

Central Minnesota saw between 3 to 6 inches of snowfall overnight, with parts of northern Minnesota reporting 1 to 2 inches of snow.

As of noon, the National Weather Service recorded 3.5 inches of snow at its Chanhassen location. Meanwhile, Minneapolis-St. Paul airport reported 2.9 inches of snow.

Weather experts forecast moderate snow in western Wisconsin through the afternoon and very light snow in far eastern Minnesota.

Officials advise using caution when traveling.

“A lot of times people are saying, ‘I’m driving the speed limit,’” said Lieutenant Mike Lee, a state patrol spokesperson. “But again, it’s not so much a number. It’s ‘Are you driving for the conditions? Are you driving in a manner which you can maintain control your vehicle at all times?’”

Between midnight and 2:30 p.m. on Saturday, the Minnesota State Patrol reported about 225 crashes statewide, including 17 with injuries, 26 spin outs and a jackknifed semi-truck.

Minneapolis and St. Paul declared snow emergencies beginning Saturday evening. Minneapolis cautions drivers not to park on Snow Emergency routes. In St. Paul, vehicles not moved from Night Plow Routes will be ticketed and towed.

, scheduled for Saturday evening at Lake of the Isles in Minneapolis.

“It’s going to make for a stunning Luminary,” said Devin Sundquist, spokesperson for the event. “We could not be more excited.”

The Luminary Loppet is a fundraiser for the Loppet Foundation. Thousands of people are expected to enjoy about 2,000 candlelit ice luminaries while walking or skiing on the lake.

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Eastbound winds are expected to bring more snow through Saturday afternoon, with an additional inch or two possible for western Wisconsin.

Winter storm blankets much of Minnesota, triggers snow emergencies in Minneapolis and St. Paul

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