Coming Storm Threatens Low Snow Emergency Streak
MINNEAPOLIS (WCCO) -- Snow in the forecast could break our zero snow emergency streak.
"The latest we've ever waited to declare a snow emergency was Feb. 25," said Mike Kennedy, Minneapolis director of Public Works.
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Kennedy says an average snow year between two and four snow emergencies are declared in Minneapolis. Last year the city set a record high with eight, and St. Paul set a record with nine.
"Now every day as we move forward we're kind of blazing new ground here," Kennedy said.
Over in St. Paul, they're on track to set a record for fewest amount of snow emergencies ever declared. The number is four, set back in the winter of 2008-2009.
"It's remarkable winter, because in a normal year with normal snowfall amounts we typically declare on average four snow emergencies over the winter," said Dave Hunt, St. Paul's Public Works spokesperson.
On Wednesday, the zero snow emergency streak could end with a Leap Day storm that's expected to dump several inches across the Twin Cities and more than a foot in the north metro.
"Right now we have 78 pieces of equipment that are set up with plows ready to go," Hunt said.
Crews in St. Paul have also been pre-treating streets with brine solution to help prevent snow from sticking. In Minneapolis crews have been waiting for a good dumping since December.
"Anything could happen: March is one of the snowier months," Kennedy said.
