Minneapolis and St. Paul have been grappling with significant winter weather in recent days, impacting daily life and transportation in the Twin Cities. On February 3, 2025, the area experienced its first substantial snowfall since mid-December, with about an inch of accumulation measured at Minneapolis-St. Paul International Airport. This snowfall led to a messy and slow morning commute, with the Minnesota State Patrol reporting 83 crashes between midnight and 8 a.m., including one fatal crash and four resulting in injuries[1].
The snowfall was more pronounced in central Minnesota, where the Alexandria area saw 3-5 inches of snow. This weather caused several schools in western and central Minnesota to delay classes on Monday morning. The Minnesota Department of Transportation advised drivers to be cautious, emphasizing the need to slow down and allow enough time for travel due to potentially tricky road conditions[1].
In the following days, another winter storm hit the region, bringing more snow on Saturday, February 8. Central Minnesota received between 3 to 6 inches of snow overnight, while parts of northern Minnesota reported 1 to 2 inches. The Minneapolis-St. Paul airport recorded 2.9 inches of snow, and the National Weather Service's Chanhassen location reported 3.5 inches. This snowfall prompted Minneapolis and St. Paul to declare snow emergencies, with warnings for drivers not to park on Snow Emergency routes and the threat of ticketing and towing for non-compliance[2].
The fresh snow was a welcome development for the Luminary Loppet, a fundraiser for the Loppet Foundation held at Lake of the Isles in Minneapolis. The event featured about 2,000 candlelit ice luminaries, attracting thousands of participants who enjoyed walking or skiing on the lake[2].
Aside from the weather, other significant events have been unfolding in the Twin Cities. In St. Paul, former Police Chief John Harrington was named King Boreas for the Winter Carnival, a notable honor in the city's annual festivities. Additionally, St. Paul City Council President Mitra Jalali announced her resignation, marking a change in local leadership[5].
In political news, the Minnesota House of Representatives finally gaveled in after three weeks of negotiations, with Republican Representative Lisa Demuth of Cold Spring being elected as the first Black woman to serve as House speaker. Demuth called for bipartisan cooperation as the House resumed its activities[3].
These developments highlight the dynamic and sometimes challenging environment of Minneapolis and St. Paul, where residents are navigating winter weather, political changes, and community events.
This content was created in partnership and with the help of Artificial Intelligence AI
