Many local schools are closed or starting late today after a storm system dumped up to 5 inches of snow across the area.

Austin Public Schools and Pacelli Catholic are both closed, as well as Southland, Lyle, Blooming Prairie, Grand Meadow, LeRoy-Ostrander and Hayfield-Brownsdale. As of 6 a.m., the Hayfield wrestling team was still scheduled to go to the section meet in Rochester tonight. As of 8:20 a.m., the state gymnastics meet at the University of Minnesota featuring the Austin Packers is on schedule.

A winter weather advisory is still in effect for much of Minnesota, and the National Weather Service reported 3 to 5 inches of snow was common along and south of Interstate 90. Snowfall rates of up to an inch an hour were possible through 7 a.m.

Snow was expected to continue through Friday evening, adding another 1 to 3 inches.

The Weather Service called for difficult commutes this morning, especially on untreated roads and before sunrise. As of 7:30 a.m., many rural roads were still not plowed. The Minnesota Department of Transportation listed driving conditions in most of southeast Minnesota as difficult this morning.

City of Austin enforces parking restrictions

The city of Austin has declared a snow emergency with parking restrictions starting Friday.

Residents are asked to park on the even-numbered side of the street on even-numbered days, and the odd-numbered side of the street on odd-numbered days. So since Friday is the 22nd day of February, residents should park in front of even-numbered addresses. On, Saturday, Feb. 23, residents should park on the opposite side of the street.

The city will tow cars not in compliance.

The parking restriction ends 8 a.m. Monday.