Coon Rapids Mobilizes Full Snow Response as Major Winter Storm Bears Down on the Twin Cities

COON RAPIDS, MN

Public Works crews prepare for a citywide plow beginning Sunday morning as officials urge residents to clear streets and help keep emergency routes open.

As a powerful late-winter storm approaches the Twin Cities metro, officials in Coon Rapids say the city’s snow-removal operation is fully mobilized and ready for what meteorologists warn could be one of the most significant snow events of the season.

The city announced that a full citywide plow will begin at 6:00 a.m. Sunday, with crews expected to work throughout the day and into the evening clearing streets curb-to-curb across the community. The announcement comes as forecasters warn that a major winter system is poised to deliver heavy snowfall, strong winds, and potentially hazardous travel conditions across central Minnesota.

Officials say the success of the response will depend not only on the work of Public Works crews but also on cooperation from residents. The city is asking residents to remove vehicles and garbage containers from streets so plows can move quickly and clear roads completely.

A Storm Expected to Reshape the Weekend

Meteorologists with the National Weather Service have warned that the storm moving into Minnesota could produce heavy, wet snow combined with powerful winds, a combination capable of creating near-blizzard conditions across portions of the region.

Forecasters say snowfall is expected to intensify Saturday night and continue through Sunday. Current projections suggest 12 to 18 inches of accumulation across broad areas of central Minnesota, with isolated pockets potentially approaching two feet depending on storm track and localized snow bands.

Snowfall rates could reach two inches or more per hour during peak periods, while wind gusts are expected to climb between 35 and 55 miles per hour, creating blowing snow and sharply reduced visibility.

Such conditions can quickly turn routine travel into a dangerous undertaking. Transportation officials warn that roads may become difficult or even impossible to navigate during the height of the storm Sunday, particularly in open areas where wind-driven snow can drift across roadways.

A Citywide Snow Response

For a community the size of Coon Rapids, a major winter storm requires a carefully coordinated response.

The city maintains more than 400 lane miles of streets and roughly 374 cul-de-sacs, each requiring plowing to restore safe travel conditions. During major storms, the city follows a structured priority system designed to keep emergency services operating.

The first priority is arterial and high-traffic routes, which allow police, fire, and medical responders to move quickly through the city. Major corridors such as Egret Boulevard and 121st Avenue are typically among the first roads addressed.

Once primary routes are passable, the city transitions to a full curb-to-curb plow, clearing residential streets and cul-de-sacs across the entire community. According to city officials, crews will likely operate extended shifts throughout Sunday to keep up with snowfall totals and drifting conditions.

If the storm continues or drifting re-covers cleared streets, a second full plow may take place early Monday morning to restore the full width of the roadway network.

Sidewalks and Trails Come After the Streets

While residents often notice sidewalk clearing later in the process, city officials emphasize that this sequencing is deliberate.

Roadways are cleared first because they are critical for emergency response, transit access, and daily mobility. Only after streets are plowed and snowfall has ended do Public Works crews shift their attention to sidewalks, trails, and pedestrian paths.

Because of the expected snow totals from this storm, city officials say sidewalk clearing could extend into Monday or even Tuesday, depending on weather conditions and the pace of snow removal operations.

Winter Parking Rules Designed to Help Plows Work

City leaders say one of the most important ways residents can assist snow crews is by following Coon Rapids’ winter parking regulations.

Under city ordinance:

• Street parking is prohibited whenever snowfall accumulation reaches three inches or more until the street has been plowed curb-to-curb.
• The city’s seasonal winter parking ban also prohibits parking on streets between 2:00 a.m. and 6:00 a.m. from November 1 through April 1.

Vehicles left on the street during a plowing operation can prevent crews from clearing the full width of the road. Officials say violators may be ticketed or towed at the owner’s expense.

Responsibilities for Residents During Major Snowfall

City officials also issued several reminders intended to help maintain safety during the storm.

Residents are encouraged to move garbage and recycling carts behind the curb line, placing them on the boulevard or in driveways rather than in the street. Carts should be placed out no earlier than 4 p.m. the day before pickup and removed by midnight on collection day.

Another important task is clearing fire hydrants.

Residents are asked to shovel a three-foot clearance around hydrants located near their property so firefighters can locate and access them quickly in an emergency.

State law also regulates where snow may be placed. Under Minnesota Statute 169.42 and related municipal ordinances, it is illegal to shovel or plow snow from private property onto public streets or highways. Snow pushed into the roadway can freeze and create hazardous driving conditions, and property owners may be held liable if it contributes to an accident.

Giving Snowplows Room to Work

Public safety officials are also reminding drivers to keep their distance from snowplows during the storm.

Snowplows often operate with extended wing blades and limited visibility, particularly in heavy snowfall. Following too closely or attempting to pass plows can be dangerous for both drivers and operators.

Transportation officials recommend motorists stay well behind plows and allow them room to maneuver, especially at intersections or while turning.

A Community Effort

Major winter storms place extraordinary demands on municipal crews, but city officials say successful snow removal depends on the partnership between residents and local government.

Public Works crews will be working around the clock in difficult conditions to keep roads open. Residents who remove vehicles from streets, clear hydrants, and give plows space help ensure that those efforts succeed.

In a Minnesota winter, storms of this magnitude are not simply weather events. They are moments when an entire community works together to keep streets moving, emergency services operating, and neighborhoods safe until the snow finally stops falling.

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