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Heavy overnight snow leads to power outages, cancelled flights and crashes

After overnight wet, spring snow, the roads are a mess. Amounts of 4" to 10" have been reported across the state as of this morning.

MINNEAPOLIS — Update: Xcel Energy says 37,000 people are still without power as of Saturday afternoon, the majority of whom live in the Twin Cities Metro. The company said it is working to restore power, but that task could take until Monday.

Roads across Minnesota are covered in snow after a heavy storm hit the state with amounts between 4" to 10" reported as of Saturday morning.

According to the Minnesota Department of Transportation (MnDOT), freeways, highways and roads are being deemed partially or completely covered by the snow. Yet, there are still people who have to drive places.

Since 4:30 p.m. Friday, Minnesota State Patrol has reported nearly 350 crashes statewide, over 600 spin outs and 18 jackknifed semis.

Credit: KARE 11

Back at home, along with the snow, heavy winds have knocked down trees, poles and power lines in the metro.

Xcel Energy said about 280,000 of their customers had been affected with power outages just after 8:15 a.m. Saturday. More than 230,000 customers' power has been restored, but about 37,000 await restoration.

"The outage may be overnight and into tomorrow," said Trisha Duncan, Xcel Energy's director of Minnesota community relations. "We're not quite sure as a final restoration time right now, but it will likely go into tomorrow."

Duncan also mentioned that they don't believe the last time they saw the magnitude of this many outages.

Departing and arriving flights have also been impacted by the wet, spring snow.

MSP Airport says over 100 arriving flights have been cancelled and 44 have been delayed, while there have been 63 cancelled departures and 86 flights delayed.

After the huge snow storm this weekend, the total snowfall in the Twin Cities reached 89.7 inches. But where does that rank all time?  

Windy and clearer conditions are expected the rest of Saturday, before a warm up on Sunday.

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