Southern Minnesota is under a winter storm watch with as much as 7 inches of accumulating snow expected on Tuesday and Wednesday.

According to the National Weather Service, snow is expected to begin Tuesday morning.  The heaviest amounts of snow are forecast to be along and south of the Minnesota River Valley.

Snowfall will be heaviest Tuesday evening, when snowfall rates of half an inch to three-quarters of an inch per hour possible across the watch area.

The snow will move east of the area by Wednesday afternoon, but gusty northwest winds will lead to a threat for blowing and drifting snow.

Snow on roads and low visibility from blowing and drifting snow will make for difficult travel conditions across southern Minnesota. Motorists are advised to use caution.