Schools across the region closed today in anticipation of a blizzard expected to move through today and last into Friday morning.

The National Weather Service said southern and eastern Minnesota, northern Iowa and western Wisconsin could expect heavy snow combined with strong winds. Travel is not advised.

Schools that closed, as of 8 a.m. today, were Albert Lea, Alden-Conger, Austin, Blooming Prairie, Glenville-Emmons, Hollandale Christian, Lake Mills, Lyle, Northwood-Kensett, Owatonna, St. Theodore and Waseca. United South Central will close at 10:45.

Head Start of Freeborn County, Riverland Community College and United Preschool closed, too.

The region is in a blizzard warning from 9 a.m. today until noon Friday.

The blizzard was expected to deliver 5 to 9 inches in Albert Lea during the day, then drop another 1 to 3 overnight.

Northwest winds today were forecast to hit 20 to 30 mph and 40 mph gusts in the afternoon, with a high temperature of 34, according to the National Weather Service. Winds tonight were forecast at 25 to 30 with gusts as high as 45 mph. Friday was expected to have blowing snow, with a west wind of 20 to 25 mph decreasing in the afternoon to 15 and 20 mph. Gusts could still hit 35 mph.

Frigid air was expected to follow the system through the middle of next week. Highs are forecast in the single digits to middle teens across the state, with likely wind chill advisories.