If The Weather Channel was right this morning, snow was falling, the air was cold and the wind was blowing by the time the newspaper was delivered this afternoon.

A Weather Channel meteorologist mentioned Albert Lea this morning, saying residents can expect wintry weather from an Alberta clipper moving through the Midwest. It will bring snow, wind and cold. Much of North and South Dakota were dealing with a blizzard this morning. In Aberdeen, S.D., at 8 a.m. today, felt the chill of 35 mph north winds with light snow.

The National Weather Service has issued a winter storm warning for southern Minnesota for today and into the evening. A wind chill advisory also is in effect for the region until 9 a.m. Tuesday.

The Weather Service’s forecast for Albert Lea calls for “strong northwest winds of 25 to 30 mph with higher gusts this afternoon.”

The forecast also calls for 3 to 7 inches of snow. The blowing snow is expected to bring reduced visibility and drifting snow. Drivers this morning said road conditions were worsening.

Albert Lea Area Schools announced it would dismiss classes four hours early.

The air temperature tonight is forecast to be 12 below, with wind chill values between 22 below and 32 below. Gusts tonight could reach 37 mph.

That’s the first Alberta clipper. A second clipper is forecast to strike late Tuesday night and dump snow Wednesday on the Midwest.

Tuesday will be party sunny but with a high near zero below, according to KIMT meteorologists. Wednesday will have a nigh of 6 above but the National Weather Service calls for a northwest wind of 10 to 13 mph increasing to 20 and 23 mph, and gusts up to 31 mph. Wednesday night’s low will be 16 below, according to the Weather Service.