The first heavy snow of the season — and the biggest blizzard in several years — is expected to come down in parts of Minnesota , Wisconsin and Iowa through Wednesday.

A Mower County Blizzard Warning issued by the National Weather Service (NWS) Monday does not expire until midnight Wednesday. The NWS originally only predicted a blizzard watch on Sunday.

A Blizzard Warning means that severe weather conditions are expected or occurring and falling and blowing snow are likely, and may produce poor visibility and white-out conditions, making travel extremely difficult and dangerous, according to the National Weather Service.

The Austin area is expected to get anywhere from six inches to one foot of snow between Tuesday and Wednesday, said KIMT TV meteorologist Jessica McLaughlin.

The heaviest snowfall should occur Tuesday night, according to the NWS.

Monday afternoon, McLaughlin said she predicted the snow to begin Monday evening and continue through Wednesday afternoon. Blizzard-like conditions are expected late Tuesday afternoon through Wednesday evening, with strong winds continuing after the snowfall. Winds are expected to sustain 30 to 40 mph speeds.

“We haven’t seen a storm like this in a few years,” McLaughlin said.

Significant blowing and drifting of the snow may occur, and periods of near white-out conditions are possible, according to the NWS.

McLaughlin said it is not too rare to have a snowstorm this time of year, but is somewhat unusual to have such a large blizzard.

Falling temperatures and strong winds should produce wind chills of 15 to 20 below zero by Wednesday night, according to the NWS.

Blizzard watches and warnings cover parts of southwest and east-central Minnesota and west-central Wisconsin and northern Iowa.

Winter Driving

The NWS advises people not to travel during a blizzard warning, and if they must, to carry a winter survival kit. The NWS says to stay with your vehicle is stranded.

From 2006 to 2008 officers reported snowy or icy road conditions in more than 45,000 crashes that resulted in 168 traffic deaths according to the Minnesota Departments of Public Safety (DPS) and Transportation (MnDOT).

MnDOT and DPS released a news release Monday urging motorists to adapt to winter road conditions, wear their seat belts, and be patient and attentive drivers.

MnDOT and DPS offer the following driving recommendations: Motorists should drive at safe, lower speeds and keep a safe stopping distance between vehicles; if skidding, drivers should ease their foot off the gas, and turn the wheel in the direction they want the front of the wheel to go. If the vehicle has an anti-lock braking system (ABS), apply firm, steady pressure. Never pump ABS brakes; do not use cruise control on snowy, icy or wet roads; do not “power up” hills; reduce speed going downhill; give yourself plenty of travel time; headlights must be on during snow or sleet; clear snow and ice from windows, hood, headlights, brake lights and signals.

Motorists should equip their vehicles with a scraper or brush, small shovel, jumper cables, tow chain and bag of sand or cat litter for traction, the release states. Other recommended items are blankets, boots, warm clothing, flashlights, and high-energy foods.

Drivers should keep at least five-car lengths between their vehicles and snow plows, MnDot and DPS advise.

Last year there were 103 snowplow/vehicle crashes in Minnesota, according to MnDot and DPS.

If motorists become stranded, MnDot and DPS also advises they stay with the vehicle; run the vehicle’s engine for heat about once an hour or every half-hour in extreme temperatures; make sure the exhaust pipe is clear to prevent carbon monoxide from getting in the car; leave a window slightly open; tie a piece of bright cloth to the antenna; and limit sleep to short naps.

Snow Emergency

Austin snow emergencies typically go into affect if more than three inches of snow falls, according to Police Chief Paul Philipp.

“Because this may be the first significant snow of the season, we definitely want people to be aware of the snow emergency rules… Inevitably, some people are not and we end up towing their cars,” Chief Philipp said.

All Austin snow emergencies are 72 hours and the city will post signs at 25 locations around town and contact radio and television news outlets if a snow emergency is declared.

A snow emergency would put calendar parking into effect for the entire 72 hours of the emergency. Calendar parking means that parking is allowed on the even numbered sides of the street on even days and on odd sides of the streets on odd days beginning at 8 a.m. daily.

For example, a car could be legally parked in front of a house numbered 610 on Dec. 8. anytime after 8 a.m. on that day. By 8 a.m. the next morning, Dec. 9, the car would have to move to the other side of the street.

Parking is not allowed downtown from 1 a.m. to 8 a.m. during the event of a snow emergency.

If your car is towed during a snow emergency, contact the Austin Police Department at 437-9400.