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MSP, Mpls. City Crews Prep For Thursday's Snow

Read More: Winter Storm Expected To Dump Heavy, Wet Snow On Minn.

MINNEAPOLIS (WCCO) -- Thursday's snow storm will have a major impact on travelers, and it could have a long-lasting effect on anyone who parks on Minneapolis streets.

Patrick Hogan, spokesperson for Minneapolis-St. Paul International Airport, says they've got a full 24-hour staff on standby to plow. But fewer runways will be in use, and he expects small regional flights to be canceled first.

"Based on the forecast, it's pretty clear that they're not going to be able to fly the full schedule, so they'll start canceling flights probably later tonight," Hogan said. "Normally, [there are] between 60 and 90 flights an hour. Tomorrow, we're expecting more like between 25 and 35 flights an hour."

And the runways aren't the only problem; roadways are also getting pretty hard to maneuver.

Mike Kennedy of Minneapolis' public works department says city roads are getting so packed with snow that it's getting difficult for emergency crews to get through.

"It's getting to the point where it's maybe needed city wide to impose a one-side parking ban," Kennedy said.

He says they may ban street parking on the even side of streets until the end of winter.

"Another five inches of snow would be pretty severe. It would put up in the situation where we'd be definitely looking at that one-side ban," he said.

Kennedy says the city's snow dump site is currently overflowing, which is something they haven't seen in years.

Winter Weather Resources: Weather Center | Traffic Page | School Closings | Radar

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