SAINT PAUL (February 11, 2019) – Due to the forecast of three significant snow events this week, Saint Paul Public Works anticipates declaring a snow emergency for Tuesday, February 12.
This week, the National Weather Service has forecasted multiple different snow events for the Twin Cities Metro Area. Yesterday, Saint Paul received about 4 inches of light snow. A second storm is anticipated to deliver another 3-5" of snow this evening. The timing of these back-to-back storms presents a challenge for undertaking the complex operations involved in a snow emergency which requires citizens to move thousands of vehicles parked on the streets in an effort to get the roads properly cleared.
Public Works crews were out last night and today plowing and salting the main streets throughout Saint Paul. Crews have also plowed and salted residential hills, curves, and areas around schools. Most residential streets are currently snow covered, but safe and passable. In addition, crews have been addressing public sidewalks and stairways throughout the city and will address other areas that need extra attention. In some locations, snow storage can be an issue and crews have been removing snow in anticipation of the additional snow events expected this week.
Public Works is closely monitoring the weather forecasts and current road conditions and will make a determination about calling a snow emergency early on Tuesday. Residents are asked to be patient, allow adequate space for crews to do their work, and exercise proper winter driving techniques. Public Works also asks for residents to be aware of snow emergency regulations and move their vehicles accordingly.
The City of Saint Paul reminds all residents to move vehicles according to Saint Paul's Snow Emergency parking regulations. Snow Emergencies for the City of Saint Paul are 96 hours in duration. Typically, more than 70 plow crews clear more than 1,800 lane miles in less than 24 hours during the Night and Day Plow Route Phases. Night Plow Routes are all arterial (main) streets, downtown Saint Paul, and ½ of the north-south residential streets. Night Plow Routes go in effect from 9 p.m. the day a Snow Emergency is declared until 8 a.m. the following morning.
Day Plow Routes are all east-west residential streets and ½ of the north-south residential streets. These routes are typically not marked with signs, but have parking restrictions beginning at 8 a.m.-5 p.m. the day after a Snow Emergency is declared.
After the Night and Day Plow Routes are completed, residents are reminded not to park vehicles in areas that have not been plowed full-width of the street. They could still be ticketed and towed.
Residents and businesses should shovel their sidewalks and intersection curbs within 24 hours after a snow event, and never plow or shovel snow from sidewalks, driveways or alleys into the streets. This creates additional hazards for cars and pedestrians and is illegal.
Residents and businesses can sign up to receive Snow Emergency alert emails and texts (including those in Spanish, Hmong, and Somali) by visiting www.stpaul.gov/snow.