Storm Aftermath: Tuesday Afternoon Commute Will Be Slow—Very Slow

^---Click the "View Larger Map" link to check real-time traffic in the Lake Minnetionka and Minneapolis area.

Roads throughout the area are improving, but drivers will find drastically reduced speeds on their way home Tuesday afternoon.

Lieutenent Eric Roeske of the Minnesota State Patrol told Patch drivers should plan on doubling their normal commute times and "expect icy patches and slippery spots."

Delays are currently being reported on multiple roads in the west Metro, including most interstate arteries. Some of the slowest traffic is being reported on Hwy. 169 between Hopkins and Maple Grove. Interstate 94 is also seeing significant speed reduction and traffic, particularly from Maple Grove all the way east to Roseville.

The Tuesday morning commute was better than both of Monday's, but drivers till found below-average speeds on most roads between Lake Minnetonka area and Minneapolis. 

At midnight approached Monday, only minor delays were being reported in the west Metro, and traffic cameras showed no bottlenecks.

The light traffic Monday night and early Tuesday morning gave state and local transportaion departments a chance to tackle the compacted snow clinging to most area roads—blamed for giving most drivers the most problems.

Follow MnDOT on Twitter for the latest accidents and traffic camera photos.

Around Patch:

• Update: Maple Grove Continues to Clean Up After Sunday Snow Storm
• Storm Causes Messy Morning Commute
• Snow: A 'Love-Hate Relationship' in St. Michael and Albertville

At least a foot of snow fell in most locations around Lake Minnetonka Sunday and into Monday, setting up what in some places was a downright dangerous morning commute to start the work week.

Trained spotters from the National Weather Service confirmed 12 inches in both Shorewood and Minnetonka late Sunday evening. A measurement of 9.5 inches was recorded in Orono. Several additional inches are estimated to have subsequently fallen.

• Snow Blankets Lake Minnetonka; Share Your Photos on Patch!

• Check Current Traffic Conditions Now

Hennepin County Emergency Management tweeted Sunday that weather was blamed for causing at least 300 accidents throughout the state as of 6 p.m.

Most primary and secondary roads in the Lake Minnetonka area were slick in spots, but by and large passable at 10 p.m. Sunday. Traffic cameras showed no accidents. Most residential streets, apartment buildings and shopping centers were dug out and accessible, and traffic—for the moment—was light.

A scattering of school districts from around the state, including several in the Metro area, announced delayed starts for Monday classes, but no Lake Minnetonka area school districts have announced changes to morning schedules. Orono, Wayzata, Minnetonka and Westonka school district students will be on regular schedule Monday morning.

Lake Minnetonka Patch will have updates on both the morning traffic developments and school news as warranted.

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