Minneapolis Declares Snow Emergency Thursday

MINNEAPOLIS — Minneapolis city officials have declared a snow emergency beginning today, Thursday,Feb. 7. City crews have been plowing and treating streets to keep them drivable.

Now that a snow emergency has been declared, parking restrictions will take effect beginning at 9 p.m. tonight so crews can plow more than 1,000 miles of streets as wide as possible. That’s the equivalent of 3,200 “lane miles” of streets that need to be plowed — enough to plow a lane from Minneapolis to Anchorage, Alaska, according to a news release.

When a snow emergency is declared, parking rules go into effect so plows can clear the streets and fire trucks, police cars, ambulances and other vehicles can then get around and park. Plowing the streets completely requires vehicles parked on streets to move.

"It’s in everyone’s best interest to do their part and follow the parking rules so plows can do the best job possible, and folks can avoid a ticket and tow," the city said in a statement Thursday.

Snow Emergency parking rules

Thursday, Feb. 7, 9 p.m. to 8 a.m. (Day 1)

• Do not park on EITHER side of Snow Emergency routes until 8 a.m. Friday morning, Feb. 8, or the street is fully plowed.

Friday, Feb. 8, 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. (Day 2)

• Do not park on the EVEN numbered side of non-Snow Emergency routes until 8 p.m., or that side of the street is fully plowed, or on EITHER side of parkways until 8 p.m., or the parkway is fully plowed.

Saturday, Feb. 9, 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. (Day 3)

• Do not park on the ODD numbered side of non-Snow Emergency routes until 8 p.m., or that side of the street is fully plowed.

Image via Minnesota Department of Transportation