Hundreds of crashes reported across Midwest as fast-moving snowstorm blankets Minneapolis
More than 7 million people were under Winter Storm Warnings, including residents of the Twin Cities and Green Bay. Both the morning and evening commutes on Thursday were hampered by treacherous conditions.
Upper Midwest sees greatest snowfall of season
More than 5" of snow feel across parts of Wisconsin and Minnesota on Thursday which made roads slick but also provided some holiday cheer for those young at heart.
MINNEAPOLIS – A storm system brought some of the heaviest snowfall of the season for places such as Minnesota and Wisconsin on Thursday, leading to treacherous travel across parts of the northern U.S.
More than 5 inches of snow was reported in Minneapolis, while Arcadia, Wisconsin saw at least 8 inches of new powder.
Watch: Plows hustle to remove snow in South St, Paul, MN
The city of South St Paul had snowplows out clearing roads on Thursday as Winter Storm Warnings were in effect for the area.
Agencies from Wisconsin and Minnesota reported responding to hundreds of crashes, including several jackknifed tractor-trailers.
The Minnesota Department of Transportation deployed more than 800 snowplow crews to treat the main thoroughfares across the state.
![A wreck was seen on Minnesota State Highway 55 in Minneapolis on Thursday morning.]()
Image 1 of 2The biggest snow since last winter is quickly accumulating in Minneapolis on Thursday morning. (Minnesota Department of Transportation)
![It was a snowy scene on Minnesota State Highway 47 in Minneapolis on Thursday morning.]()
Image 2 of 2The biggest snow since last winter is quickly accumulating in Minneapolis on Thursday morning. (Minnesota Department of Transportation)
Snow and ice at Minneapolis-St. Paul International Airport has caused dozens of flights to be delayed.
The highest snowfall rates happened across southern Wisconsin on Thursday afternoon, reducing visibility and creating slick road conditions.
FOX Weather Correspondent Brandy Campbell saw multiple spin-out crashes along I-43 near Sheboygan, Wisconsin, as drivers navigated the winter weather.
Due to the threat posed by the frozen precipitation, more than 12 million residents were under either a Winter Weather Advisory or a Winter Storm Warning, issued by local National Weather Service offices.
Timelapse shows snow moving into Minneapolis on Thursday morning
The Upper Midwest, particularly Wisconsin and Minnesota, is finally experiencing winter weather.
"That's a good little shot of snow, something they have not seen in Minneapolis," said FOX Weather Meteorologist Bob Van Dillen. "We've got Winter Weather Advisories that have just been upgraded to Winter Storm Warnings."
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As the snowfall ends, a cold front is expected to kick up wind gusts to 50 mph over the Plains, with communities in the Upper Midwest likely seeing winds in the 30- to 40-mph range.
These strong winds will lead to blowing snow, potentially causing additional travel difficulties on roadways and at airports.
Biggest snow since last winter quickly accumulating in Minneapolis
With over an inch and a half of snow already on the ground in Minneapolis and over two inches in Chanhassen, a Winter Storm Warning is in effect until midnight. Numerous car crashes have been reported, and the DOT has deployed over 800 snowplow crews to treat the roads.
Hundreds of personnel are typically on standby from October through April to respond to frozen precipitation and keep aircraft flying into and out of Minneapolis-Saint Paul International Airport with minimal disruptions
Heaviest snowfall so far this season
The quick-hitting snowfall event is expected to mark the heaviest accumulation so far this season for cities such as Minneapolis and Green Bay, Wisconsin.
Since meteorological winter began on Dec. 1, the Twin Cities has reported only 1.3 inches of snowfall, nearly a foot below average. Meanwhile, Green Bay has reported just 1.1 inches during the same time period.
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Here is the season's snowfall deficit so far.
(FOX Weather)
High temperatures are only expected to reach the single digits and teens on Friday and Saturday, before a warm-up during Christmas week, which could be one of the warmest Christmas holiday weeks America has ever seen.
Forecasters anticipate temperatures to rise 15-25 degrees above average across the region during the holiday week, which could challenge records set just one year ago.
(FOX Weather)