2 to 4 inches of snow expected

The National Weather Service  has issued a winter weather advisory for the Albert Lea area for late this afternoon and tonight.

The advisory is in effect from 4 p.m. today to 4 a.m. Wednesday.

A mix of snow, sleet and rain is forecast to develop across southern Minnesota late this afternoon with precipation spreading northeast across western Wisconsin early in the evening.

The precipitation should change over to all snow early tonight with 2 to 4 inches of accumulation possible.

The Weather Service said travel may be difficult late this afternoon and tonight. It advised people to be prepared for slippery roads and limited visibilities and to use caution while driving.

Other counties in the advisory were Blue Earth, Waseca, Steele and Faribault counties.

The wintry precipitation comes after the area received a round of heavy snow overnight Sunday.

From that storm, Albert Lea received 3 inches of snow, while some areas to the east saw much more.

Nearly 9 inches of snow fell in southern Scott, Rice and Dakota  counties. According to the Weather Service, Owatonna received 7.5 inches and Grand Meadow received 8 inches.

Sunny weather is expected to return to the area for the most of the week after tonight, according to the Weather Service, with highs in the 30s and 40s.

There is a 20 percent chance of rain and snow on Saturday night.

Weather is predicted to return to the 50s on Sunday and Monday and into next week.