Why One Inch of Snow in Minnesota is Way More Dangerous Than a Snowstorm

Across Southeast Minnesota, we're expecting to see around an inch or so of snow this afternoon and into tonight. Yeah, just an inch, nothing to worry about! Wrong. An inch of snow is actually the most dangerous. Even more dangerous than a snowstorm.

ALSO READ: MN Town Named One of the Most Beautiful Winter Towns in the US

However, no matter the amount of snow, it's important to be prepared just in case. Better safe than sorry, right? So the Minnesota State Patrol has a list of things you need to make sure you have in your car for this winter in case the worst happens.

Essential Items to Have in Your Car in the Winter

Let's see how many you have!

Boots, jacket, and gloves

Blanket

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Phone charger

Flashlight

Water and snacks

Jumper cables

Basic tools

Sand or cat litter

Red bandana, small orange cones, or some other way to get others' attention

Pencil and paper to leave a note if necessary

Now that you're prepared for driving in the snow, let's talk about why just an inch of snow can actually be way more dangerous.

One Inch of Snow is the Most Dangerous

One of the obvious reasons why one inch of snow is more dangerous is because, during a snowstorm, many people will opt to stay at home. Not going on the roads at all is obviously the safest option.

But when one inch falls, most people will still hit the roads because "it's not that bad".

The Weather Channel spoke with Walker Ashley, associate professor of meteorology at Northern Illinois University, about this. She said, "'minor' winter events are more deadly ... than notable winter storms due to heavier traffic on roads and possibly more dangerous road and visibility conditions than perceived by drivers."

A small amount of snow can make us think the roads are still fine when, in reality, they're still very slick and dangerous. There is also the possibility, depending on the temperature, of a small amount of snow melting, then freezing as ice, then fresh snow covering it, which is also, obviously, quite dangerous.

I also found an interesting chart from 2017 from the Milwaukee National Weather Service that shows that crashes dramatically increase when only 1-2 inches of snow have fallen

So be safe out there, be patient, and don't forget to turn on your headlights!