Minnesota Braces for Major Snow Storm; Cities Declare Emergencies and Enact Parking Restrictions
A significant snow storm is expected to bring heavy snow to Minnesota this weekend, prompting multiple cities to declare snow emergencies and enact parking restrictions.
Cities across Minnesota are preparing for a multi-day snow event, with many implementing critical parking rules to facilitate plowing operations. Residents are strongly advised to be aware of local regulations to avoid tickets or towing.
Twin Cities Declarations
Minneapolis Mayor Jacob Frey and St. Paul Mayor Kaohly Her announced pre-emptive snow emergencies in anticipation of the severe weather.
St. Paul
Residents are encouraged to move cars off all night plow routes Saturday night. To assist with parking, Block 19 parking ramp in downtown St. Paul will open for free parking from 5 p.m. Saturday. Select park and recreation lots will also be available for parking.
Minneapolis
A snow emergency will go into effect at 9 p.m. Sunday. The City of Minneapolis will open the Farmer’s Market and Salvation Army parking lots free of charge at 2 p.m. Saturday, until next Wednesday. Additionally, Ramp A in downtown Minneapolis will open at 6 a.m. Sunday, allowing cars to be parked there until 8 p.m. Wednesday for a $1 fee.
Other Municipal Snow Emergency Details
Belle Plaine
Off-street parking is ordered until all city streets are plowed.
Bloomington
A snow emergency has been declared from 10 p.m. Saturday until 10 p.m. Monday. Parking is not allowed on city streets until they are fully plowed.
Crystal
Snow parking restrictions begin Sunday at midnight, prohibiting parking on all public streets and alleys. The restriction remains until the snow event has ended.
Eden Prairie
A snow emergency will be in effect as soon as snow accumulation reaches 2 inches, making it illegal to park on city streets. Residents are instructed not to park on city streets, even if plowed, until noon, Monday, March 16. Crews will work throughout the storm, with every street likely needing multiple plows due to the expected multi-day event. A full curb-to-curb cleanup will be performed when weather conditions allow.
Elk River
A snow event has been declared. Overnight parking restrictions will go into effect from 2 a.m. to 6 a.m. until Monday, prohibiting parking on city streets or city-owned lots.
Golden Valley
Plowing of all city streets will begin at 4 a.m. Sunday. No parking is allowed from 2 a.m. to 6 a.m., or until all streets are plowed.
New Hope
The snow emergency starts at 2 a.m. Sunday. No parking is allowed on city streets until they are plowed.
Northfield
A snow emergency is effective from 10:00 p.m. Saturday, March 14 until 10 p.m. on March 17. During this time, there is no parking on any city street until it is plowed curb-to-curb and the weather system has passed. Vehicles parked on the street may be ticketed or towed.
When parking lots are scheduled for snow removal, no parking is allowed from 8 a.m. to 3 p.m. All downtown parking lot permit holders must park in city lots during a snow emergency. Residential streets are scheduled for plowing on March 15 and 16. Downtown snow removal will occur on March 17, and snow removal in all downtown parking lots will be on March 18.
St. Cloud
A snow emergency has been declared, effective Sunday, March 15, at 12:01 a.m. It remains in effect for 72 hours unless rescinded earlier due to favorable weather conditions and roads being plowed to full width.
St. James
A snow emergency has been declared, effective from Sunday, March 15, at midnight to Monday, March 16, at noon.
West St. Paul
A snow emergency was declared Sunday morning, with no parking after 2 a.m. until some roads are fully plowed.