A winter storm warning is in effect for the Albert Lea area Tuesday night through Thursday, and it is expected to deliver freezing rain and sleet.

The National Weather Services says snow is possible but light Tuesday night through midday Wednesday. A second, stronger round late Wednesday afternoon is expected to deliver heavy snow, about 5 to 8 inches in southern Minnesota. Twelve inches are possible in western Minnesota.

The National Weather Service forecast for Wednesday in Albert Lea states: “Occasional freezing rain before 8am, then occasional freezing rain and sleet between 8am and 10am, then occasional rain and sleet after 10am. High near 34. Breezy, with a northeast wind 15 to 20 mph, with gusts as high as 35 mph. Chance of precipitation is 90 percent. New ice accumulation of less than a 0.1 of an inch possible. New sleet accumulation of less than a half inch possible.”

The storm will continue into Thursday.

The Thursday forecast: “Snow. High near 33. Breezy, with a northeast wind 15 to 20 mph, with gusts as high as 25 mph. Chance of precipitation is 100 percent. New snow accumulation of 1 to 3 inches possible.”