First Wave Of Snow Snarls Morning Commute In Twin Cities

MINNEAPOLIS (AP) - The latest on the winter storm affecting Minnesota.

The first wave of snow is moving out of the Twin Cities area, but it's still snarling the morning commute.

Numerous crashes and spinouts have been reported as the first wave of the storm dropped 1 to 3 inches of snow on the Minneapolis-St. Paul metro area Monday morning. More waves are expected Monday afternoon and Monday night, and the evening commute could be hit hard.

Minnesota Department of Transportation spokesman Kevin Gutknecht says snow has been compacting on roadways in southern and southeastern Minnesota, causing slick conditions. He urges motorists to give snowplows room to work.

The National Weather Service forecasts cumulative snowfall totals of 8 to 12 inches of snow from west-central to south-central Minnesota, and 6 to 8 inches in east-central Minnesota on Monday and Tuesday.