The City of Minneapolis declared a snow emergency on Wednesday, according to its website.

City officials announce snow emergencies before 6 p.m. on days of heavy snowfall, according to the site. The emergencies last for three days. 

During a snow emergency, special parking regulations apply that allow snow-clearing crews to create safer roads, according to the City's website. This way, emergency vehicles can navigate the streets.

Drivers can only park on certain sides of particular roads during snow emergencies, depending on the day, time and whether the road is a snow emergency route.  A previous Minnesota Daily aritcle and a City document on snow emergencies contain specific parking rules drivers need to follow to avoid being towed.