After a somewhat mild start to January, the Albert Lea area is in for an uptick in winter weather over the next few days.

A winter weather advisory was in effect through noon Wednesday with total accumulations of up to an inch of snow expected. Possible ice accumulation was also expected of a few hundredths of an inch.

On Thursday morning, wind chill values are expected to dip to 25 degrees below zero with widespread snow beginning Friday and Saturday.

According to the National Weather Service, Albert Lea is forecast to receive 6 to 8 inches of snow, starting Friday and continuing through Saturday. Gusty winds could lead to areas of blowing and drifting snow.

The Weather Service states the storm should have strong impacts on travel across the region.

Dangerously cold wind chills of 20 to 30 degrees below zero are expected over much of the area during the overnight and early morning periods Saturday night through Tuesday.