Winter Storm Advisory Issued for Tuesday Afternoon Through Wednesday

Updated 7 a.m. Feb. 29

For weather related closure information and an updated article for Wednesday, Feb. 29, click here.

Updated 6:15 p.m. Feb. 28

As rain moved into the Maple Grove area and around the Twin Cities, the National Weather Service canceled the winter weather warning and issued a winter weather advisory around 3:45 p.m. Tuesday afternoon.

The weather service said on its website that sleet, freezing rain and rain are expected throughout Tuesday evening and could switch to snow overnight in the Twin Cities area.

"Snowfall amounts of one to three inches are possible tonight through Wednesday along with a mixture of sleet and rain," the NWS said in its winter weather advisory, which is in effect until 6 p.m. Wednesday, Feb. 29. Extra caution while traveling is advised.

The National Weather Service also issued a special statement, which included Hennepin County, around 6 p.m. stating freezing rain is "beginning to ice up some roadways."

According to the special statement issued by the National Weather Service, "As temperatures hold near the freezing mark this evening...ice may being to form on roadways...especially untreated roads...plus bridges and overpasses. In addition...if ice accumulates faster than expected.....local power outages could develop as ice forms on power lines."

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11 p.m. Monday, Feb. 27

The threat of a winter storm prompted the National Weather Service to issue a winter storm warning for the Twin Cities area including Hennepin County, starting noon Tuesday, Feb. 28 through 6 p.m. Wednesday, Feb. 29.

The weather agency said heavy snow amounts and strong winds will cause “significant problems for travelers,” wet snow could cause a few “tree branches to break leading to power outages,” and sleet and freezing rain “may cause slick road conditions.” Snowfall amounts of 4 to 10 inches across the area are possible, with higher amounts from Madison to the northern Twin Cities suburbs.

Here’s a rundown of some severe winter weather information:

Wondering about traffic conditions? Check out the up-to-date Maple Grove traffic page by clicking here.

Snowplowing in Maple Grove

With Maple Grove’s hundreds of miles of roadway, the city says plowing or salting begin “when road conditions make driving difficult and are also dependent upon time of day, current snow depth, and forecast,” according to the city website. Arterial and collector streets are plowed on a priority basis followed by residential streets. 

Parking in Maple Grove

Following a snowfall of 2” or greater, the city prohibits parking on city streets until “the roadway has been cleared curb to curb”

Osseo School District 279 School Closures

In cases of severe weather, District 279 advises parents to listen to radio and television or check the district website at http://www.district279.org. “Generally, you can expect that school will be held, even in severe weather,” according to the Osseo School District website.

Maple Grove Transit

The transportation agency sent an email notification Feb. 27 to remind riders of “standard procedures” during snowstorms. Service changes or cancellations will be announced on the Maple Grove Transit's Emergency Information Hotline 763-494-5994. If all of Maple Grove Transit's service would be canceled due to severe weather the announcements would also be made on WCCO 830 AM radio and Channel 4 TV. All the winter bus service reminders are posted under Rider Alerts at www.maplegrovetransit.org.

Winter Driving

AAA Minneapolis offers these safe-driving tips during severe winter weather

• Avoid driving while you’re tired.
• Never warm up a vehicle in an enclosed area.
• Keep your gas tank at least half full to avoid gas lines from freezing up.
• Accelerate and decelerate slowly.
• The normal dry pavement following distance of three to four seconds should be increased to eight or nine seconds.
• Give yourself more time.  Accelerating, stopping and turning all take longer in wet weather.
• Don't stop if you can avoid it. If you can slow down enough to keep rolling until a traffic light changes, do it.
• If you become snow-bound, stay with your vehicle. Don't try to walk in a severe storm. It's easy to lose sight of your vehicle in blowing snow and become lost.
• Keep headlines clean.
• Avoid cruise control in wet conditions.
• Have a winter safety kit in your car, complete with a first aid kit.

Have a power outage to report?

Xcel Energy - 1-800-895-1999

Wright-Hennepin - 763-477-3100 (local) or 888-399-1845 (toll free)

Editor's note: How much snow do you think Maple Grove will get? Share your prediction in comments!