The National Weather Service in La Crosse, Wis., issued a flood watch Tuesday morning in preparation for significant precipitation throughout the region.

Along with Mower, Dodge, Fillmore, Olmsted, Houston, Wabasha and Winona counties in southeastern Minnesota, the flood watch is expanded to areas of northeast Iowa and western Wisconsin. Meteorologists say about half to three-quarters of an inch of rain could fall by Tuesday night, and more rain, sleet and snow is on the way throughout the coming days. Small rivers and drainage ways could rise quickly, the NWS report states.

The flood watch is in effect through Thursday.

The Cedar River is currently at 4.7 feet in Austin. Flood stage is 15 feet. Turtle Creek in Austin is currently at 2.42 feet. Flood stage is 10.5 feet. The NWS forecasts the Turtle will rise to 8.2 feet on Wednesday.

— Look to the Herald as weather conditions change.