Postpone Holiday Travel this Weekend, MnDOT Advises

More than 800 plows around the state will be working around the clock to keep the roads clear this weekend, according to the Minnesota Department of Transportation. While the plows do their work, officials say you really shouldn't travel unless it's absolutely necessary.

At a Friday news conference, MnDot Director of Communications Kevin Gutknecht encouraged drivers to postpone any holiday travel they may have had planned. Gutknecht said with the steep temperature drops the state has seen this week, salt will be less effective in melting ice and snow on the roads, and drivers should slow down.

The snowstorm is already causing havoc on Minnesota highways. Between 1 a.m. and 12 p.m. Friday, the Minnesota State Patrol reports 285 crashes (27 injured, zero fatal or serious) and 175 vehicle off the road/spin out incidents.

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Of those crashes, 241 crashes occurred in the metro area.

Total snow accumulations of 8 to 11 inches are expected across much of the Twin Cities and southern Minnesota into central and southern Wisconsin, with amounts tapering off gradually to the north.

Snow or not, officials say these four things will help keep you safe on the road this weekend:

• Slow down.
• Buckle up.
• Pay attention.
• Drive sober.