A winter storm warning is in effect for the Albert Lea area today through Thursday evening, and it is expected to deliver heavy snow.

The first round of the storm brought lightning and thunder Tuesday evening and had been forecast to give Albert Lea freezing rain and sleet but instead commuters just found wet roads. However, freezing rain and sleet could still fall today or this evening, making road conditions treacherous.

“New ice accumulation of 0.1 to 0.3 of an inch possible. New sleet accumulation of 2 to 4 inches possible,” states the weather service’s forecast for the overnight.

Residents of the Twin Cities awoke this morning to see about 2 inches of snow on the ground, according to National Weather Service maps.

The National Weather Service says a second, stronger round is coming this afternoon and is expected to deliver heavy snow, about 6 to 7 inches in southern Minnesota. Although, Albert Lea appears on the edge of the system, and the local forecast calls for 1 to 3 inches.

Eight to 14 inches are expected across western and central Minnesota.

Winds of 15 to 20 mph are expected today, with gusts up to 30 mph. They are expected to increase tonight, with winds of 20 to 25 mph.