Freezing rain and snow pelted Austin and the surrounding area early this afternoon, and the National Weather Service is forecasting between three to seven inches of snow by midnight.

A winter storm warning has been issued for parts of Southeast Minnesota and Western and Central Wisconsin for today and this evening.

Austin Public Schools dismissed early today because of the weather, beginning at 11 a.m. for the Community Learning Center and ending with Austin High School at 1:30 p.m.

The storm is expected to continue this afternoon and bring more snow, sleet, freezing rain and rain, along with thunderstorms.

According to the National Weather Service, areas north of Interstate 90 will see most of the precipitation fall in the form of snow, with accumulations between four to 10 inches possible in some places.

Places along the I-90 corridor may see more of a mix of snow and sleet, along with a few rumbles of thunder. The high temperature will be near 33, with a northeast wind between 18 and 22 mph and wind gusts as high as 30 mph.

The snow in Austin is supposed to taper off by 9 p.m., with a low temperature tonight around 11. Wind chills are expected to be as low as -6.

Tomorrow, the forecast is mostly sunny with a high near 18 and wind chill factors as low as -6.