Hundreds of accidents were reported across the Midwest as a fast-moving snowstorm blanketed Minneapolis

Hundreds of accidents were reported across the Midwest as a fast-moving snowstorm blanketed Minneapolis

MINNEAPOLIS – A storm system brought some of the heaviest snowfall of the season to places like Minnesota and Wisconsin on Thursday, making for treacherous travel across parts of the northern United States

More than 5 inches of snow was reported in Minneapolis, while Arcadia, Wisconsin saw at least 8 inches of new snow.

Authorities in Wisconsin and Minnesota reported responding to hundreds of accidents, including several jackknifed tractor-trailers.

The Minnesota Department of Transportation deployed more than 800 snow plow crews to clear major highways across the state.

Snow and ice in Minneapolis-St. Paul International Airport has caused dozens of flight delays.

The highest snowfall rates occurred in southern Wisconsin Thursday afternoon, reducing visibility and causing slippery road conditions.

FOX weather correspondent Brandy Campbell saw several crashes along I-43 near Sheboygan, Wisconsin, as drivers dealt with the winter weather.

Because of the threat of 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.

“This is a good little shot of snow, something they haven’t seen in Minneapolis yet,” said FOX weather meteorologist Bob Van Dillen. “We have winter weather warnings that have just been updated to winter storm warnings.”

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Once the snowfall ends, a cold front over the Plains is expected to push wind gusts up to 50 mph, with communities in the Upper Midwest likely to experience wind speeds in the 30 to 40 mph range.

These strong winds will cause drifting snow and potentially cause additional travel difficulties on roads and airports.

Hundreds of employees are typically on standby from October through April to respond to freezing precipitation and ensure aircraft fly to and from Minneapolis-Saint Paul International Airport with minimal disruption

The heavy snowfall in cities like Minneapolis and Green Bay, Wisconsin, is expected to represent the heaviest snow accumulation so far this season.

Since meteorological winter began on Dec. 1, the Twin Cities have reported just 1.3 inches of snowfall, nearly a foot below average. Meanwhile, Green Bay has reported just 1.1 inches during the same period.

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Here is the snowfall deficit for the season so far.

Here is the snowfall deficit for the season so far.

High temperatures are expected to reach only single digits and 10 digits on Friday and Saturday before warming up over Christmas week, which could be one of the warmest Christmas holiday weeks America has ever seen.

Forecasters expect temperatures across the region to rise 15 to 25 degrees above average during the holiday week, which could challenge records set just a year ago.

Original source of the article: Hundreds of accidents were reported across the Midwest as a fast-moving snowstorm blanketed Minneapolis

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