Austin Public Schools have canceled classes for the day due to the winter storm moving through the area.

According to the school website [www.austin.k12.mn.us]:

—All sports and school activities are canceled

—Fifth through eighth grade spelling bees will be postponed until Friday in the Ellis Auditorium [check the website for times]

—All Kids Korner students will be located at Banfield Elementary from now until 6 p.m. with breakfast available.

The area was put in a winter storm warning late Wednesday afternoon, but has since been downgraded to a winter weather advisory according to the National Weather Service. However, the storm is still expected to bring snow mainly before 5 p.m. with  2 to 4 inches possible, accompanied by patchy blowing snow.

Temperatures will continue to fall throughout the day, reaching 5 degrees by around 5 p.m. with a low of -7 later in the evening and wind chill values of -24.

The Minnesota Department of Transportation was reporting on their website that roads in the area were completely covered. For more information on road conditions visit www.dot.state.mn.us/ and click on 511 Travel Info.