February is expected to get off to a blustery, snowy start on Tuesday.

The National Weather Service has issued a winter storm warning for Mower County from 3 a.m. Tuesday to 6 a.m. Wednesday.

Forecasters say Rochester, Albert Lea and other cities in that region will likely get hit with up to a foot of snow and blizzard-like conditions.

Austin is expected to see 8 to 10 inches of snow with localized higher amounts, but it’s the wind that could be the biggest concern.

The National Weather Service expects low visibility and large snowdrifts beginning Tuesday. The weather service’s blizzard watch says some roads may be impassable on Tuesday night.

Northeast winds will increase to 20 to 24 mph with 36 mph gusts by Tuesday evening. The strongest winds are expected from late Tuesday afternoon into Tuesday night, which could cause white-out, blizzard-like conditions and make some roads impassable.

The weather service is already warning that roads could become hazardous and that people should avoid unnecessary travel.

Sheriff Terese Amazi is already urging people not travel if possible.

The heaviest snowfall is expected between 6 a.m. and noon Tuesday.

However, the weather service said the track of the storm could easily change and affect snowfall totals before it reaches the area on Tuesday.

—The Associated Press contributes to this report.