After receiving forecasts over the weekend calling for a half of foot of snow today and tonight, southern Minnesotans most likely are skeptical of what the first major winter storm of the season will actually bring.

The latest National Weather Service forecast says snowfall amounts for southern Minnesota have been reduced. It calls for a mix of rain, snow and sleet midday today, turning to rain after 2 p.m., then rain, snow and sleet again tonight as the sun sets. Some forecast websites say the area can expect ice pellets.

The weather services says the chance of precipitation is 50 percent, which means the storm could stay to the north.

That’s where some school districts are canceling classes.

St. Cloud Area Schools, Albany, Sauk Rapids-Rice and Sartell are among those closed today because of the storm that could deposit more than a foot of snow in some areas up north.

The state Department of Transportation’s website this morning shows roads in west-central Minnesota are completely covered with snow. Some commuters were expected to get an early start to deal with the falling snow. The National Weather Service says the highest accumulations in Minnesota will be in the eastern part of the state, including the Twin Cities metro area, where total accumulations of 10 to 16 inches are possible.

Winter storm warnings have been posted from northern South Dakota, across central Minnesota and into northern Wisconsin through Tuesday evening.

A high of 40 degrees was expected for Austin on Monday, but temperatures were expected to fall to a high of 27 tomorrow. Highs were expected to stay in the 20s through Sunday, with lows dipping to the teens and single digits throughout the week.

— The Associated Press contributed to this report.