Albert Lea and much of southeast Minnesota remained in a winter storm warning Sunday evening that was forecast to last until Monday morning.

Snow accumulation is forecast at 5 to 9 inches, with a north wind of 15 to 20 mph, with gusts up to 30. Some areas of Albert Lea already were reporting 4 inches by 9:30 p.m.

On the Sunday, the Chanhassen bureau of the National Weather Service issued this statement:

“A winter storm moving through the Midwest today will spread snow into far southern Minnesota and west central Wisconsin. The heaviest snow is expected to occur late this evening through the overnight hours. Winter storm warnings and winter weather advisories are in effect for portions of southeastern Minnesota and west central Wisconsin. Areas north and west of the winter weather advisory will see little or no snowfall from this system. Looking ahead, a clipper system will bring light snow to the region Monday night through Tuesday, and temperatures over the next few days will be near to slightly below normal.”

The region also should be prepared for high water when warm temperatures arrive. Southern Minnesota and northern Iowa have what’s called “concrete frost,” where frozen rain disallows any melted snow from soaking into the ground. Basically, where there is concrete frost, melting snow is just going to move quickly to waterways, creating a risk of flood conditions.

Highs have been near the melting point in recent days, but on Thursday, the high is expected to reach 35, and on Friday 36.