NOAA Minneapolis–St. Paul airport averages 51.2 inches of snow a season (1991–2020 normals)NOAA December is the snowiest month at 11.4 inches; January averages 11.0 and February 9.5NOAA About 14.6 days a year bring 1 inch of snow or more at the airportNOAA Normal January high 23.6°F and low 8.8°F at the Minneapolis–St. Paul airportNWS Twin Cities On average, the Twin Cities sees its first measurable snowfall November 4MN LTAP Rock salt works down to about 15°F; below −6°F it doesn’t work at allMinneapolis Homes and duplexes: clear sidewalks within 24 hours after it stops snowing; other properties within 4 daytime hoursMinneapolis Snow emergency Day 1 starts at 9 p.m.: no parking on either side of snow emergency routesMinneapolis Impound: $222 standard tow plus $18 a day storageSt. Paul Clear sidewalks within 24 hours after a winter weather event, full widthSt. Paul Snow emergency ticket $56; towing and impound $246St. Louis Park Commercial sidewalks: within 4 business hours after snow stopsMaple Grove Sidewalks cleared within 12 hours after the snow has stopped fallingProMatcher Minneapolis driveway and sidewalk visit: about $44.76 on averageSIMA Snow and ice customers are retained 93% of the time year over yearNOAA Minneapolis–St. Paul airport averages 51.2 inches of snow a season (1991–2020 normals)NOAA December is the snowiest month at 11.4 inches; January averages 11.0 and February 9.5NOAA About 14.6 days a year bring 1 inch of snow or more at the airportNOAA Normal January high 23.6°F and low 8.8°F at the Minneapolis–St. Paul airportNWS Twin Cities On average, the Twin Cities sees its first measurable snowfall November 4MN LTAP Rock salt works down to about 15°F; below −6°F it doesn’t work at allMinneapolis Homes and duplexes: clear sidewalks within 24 hours after it stops snowing; other properties within 4 daytime hoursMinneapolis Snow emergency Day 1 starts at 9 p.m.: no parking on either side of snow emergency routesMinneapolis Impound: $222 standard tow plus $18 a day storageSt. Paul Clear sidewalks within 24 hours after a winter weather event, full widthSt. Paul Snow emergency ticket $56; towing and impound $246St. Louis Park Commercial sidewalks: within 4 business hours after snow stopsMaple Grove Sidewalks cleared within 12 hours after the snow has stopped fallingProMatcher Minneapolis driveway and sidewalk visit: about $44.76 on averageSIMA Snow and ice customers are retained 93% of the time year over year

Check Before You Go

These are the official places to check before a storm, and we link every one.

What	Where to check	Source
Road conditions, closures and cameras	MnDOT 511, 511mn.org	MnDOT 511 road conditions
Forecasts, winter storm watches and warnings	National Weather Service Twin Cities/Chanhassen, weather.gov/mpx	National Weather Service Twin Cities/Chanhassen
Minneapolis snow emergency parking	Day 1, Day 2 and Day 3 rules	City of Minneapolis
St. Paul snow emergencies and alerts	Night and Day Plow Routes; text or email alerts	City of Saint Paul

Minneapolis Snow Emergency: Day by Day

Day	Rules begin	Do not park
Day 1	9 p.m.	On either side of snow emergency routes
Day 2	8 a.m.	On the even side of streets that are not snow emergency routes, or on either side of parkways
Day 3	8 a.m.	On the odd side of streets that are not snow emergency routes

Towed? The Minneapolis impound lot charges a $222 standard tow plus $18 a day for storage.

Sources: City of Minneapolis, City of Minneapolis.

St. Paul Night & Day Plow Routes

All downtown streets are Night Plow Routes. Don't park on them after 9 p.m. on the first night a snow emergency is declared. Day Plow Routes follow from 8 a.m. the next day. A snow emergency ticket is $56, and towing and impound fees are $246 if you pick the car up before midnight on the day it's towed, plus $15 a day storage. St. Paul sends snow emergency alerts by text or email in English, Spanish, Hmong, Oromo and Somali.

Sources: City of Saint Paul, City of Saint Paul. St. Louis Park declares a snow emergency at 3 inches or more (City of St. Louis Park).

Before You Drive

Clear the Whole Car

Clear snow and ice off the windows, lights and roof before you go, and don't start off until the windshield is defrosted.

Pack a Winter Kit

Ice scraper, a small shovel, traction mats or kitty litter, blankets, water, snacks, a flashlight and a phone charger.

If You Get Stuck

Pull as far off the road as you can, turn on the flashers and don't overexert yourself shoveling or pushing.

Advisories change with each storm; always check 511 and the National Weather Service before you go.

Get a free snow removal quote

Winter Travel Advisories