Albert Lea area residents woke up to a lot of the white stuff this morning, and many children enjoyed a day off from school.

Snowplows were clearing the roads, but they will be busy again this weekend because a blizzard is forecast to move in Saturday.

The National Weather Service forecasts a second storm to bring 6 inches of snow across much of central and southern Minnesota. This storm will pack a punch as it is expected to have high winds and blowing snow. A blizzard watch has been issued for Saturday and Sunday for all of central and southern Minnesota, particularly for the Minnesota River valley. A winter storm watch is in effect today for the Albert Lea area and is in effect through Sunday.

Winds could gust Saturday evening up to 38 mph. The wintry weather is expected to last into Sunday, too. It’s a stay-at-home weekend.

The blizzard is forecast to cause low visibility and hazardous travel conditions, with significant blowing and drifting.

The snowstorm that moved over the region Thursday night and into this morning brought about 5 to 6 inches of snow to the area. A winter storm warning remained in effect until 9 a.m., though most of the storm did its work by the time people left homes to go to work. Another 1 to 2 inches of light snow could accumulate today, according to the National Weather Service.

By the way, Sunday is the winter solstice — first day of winter.

The Albert Lea School District canceled classes today.

Other school districts in the area not having classes today were Alden-Conger, Austin, Blooming Prairie, Blue Earth, Glenville-Emmons, Lake Mills, Lyle, Northwood-Kensett, New Richland-Hartland-Ellendale-Geneva and United South Central.

Hollandale Christian School, St. Theodore Catholic School, United Preschool and the Albert Lea Montessori Children’s Home canceled classes today. Riverland Community College has cancelled for the day, too.

Owatonna School District had a two-hour delay.