MADISON, Wis. -- A winter storm that is expected to dump more than a foot of snow in some parts of southern Wisconsin by Wednesday afternoon will make morning commutes difficult for many.

TALKBACK: What's Your Work's Policy About Closing Because Of Snow?

The National Weather Service said that much snow accumulation is expected southeast of a line from Dubuque, Iowa, to Evansville to Jefferson to West Bend to Sheboygan.

The NWS said that up to 18 inches is possible near and along Interstate 43 from Janesville to Milwaukee, with 20 inches of accumulation a possibility in some areas.

The weather service said snow amounts will taper off to 10 inches in the Madison area, and 6 inches in Wisconsin Dells.

The bulk of the snow was expected to fall through Wednesday morning, with it gradually decreasing from west to east Wednesday afternoon. The National Weather Service has issued a winter storm warning for about 31 counties in Wisconsin, Iowa and Illinois from Tuesday afternoon until Wednesday afternoon.

The NWS has issued a winter storm warning for Dane, Rock, Iowa, Lafayette, Green, Columbia, Dodge, Jefferson, Sauk, Marquette and Green Lake counties starting at 6 p.m. on Tuesday and continuing until 3 p.m. on Wednesday.

The warning goes into effect in Grant, Richland and Crawford counties at 3 p.m. Tuesday and expires at noon on Wednesday. There's a snow advisory for Vernon County from 3 p.m. Tuesday until noon on Wednesday.

The snow is expected to be accompanied by strong gusty winds out of the northeast, increasing to 20 to 30 mph overnight into Wednesday morning. This will generate blowing and drifting snow, especially in open areas.

The weather service said visibility will probably drop to below one-quarter mile at times at the height of the storm, and roads in an east-west direction will experience considerable drifting.

Wednesday will be windy and colder as the snow tapers off to flurries and ends later in the day. WISC-TV chief meteorologist Gary Cannalte said that total snowfall by Wednesday will be 4 to 8 inches toward Wisconsin Dells; 8 to 12 inches or more through Dane County; and 10 to 14 inches toward the Illinois state line. Cannalte said that blowing and drifting snow is likely and that travel will be very difficult or impossible.

Officials said that a winter storm warning is issued when heavy snow, and/or sleet and/or freezing rain is expected to combine with strong winds of 25 mph or more. They said that travel will be dangerous and people should avoid heading out into the storm. Officials said if drivers must travel, they should keep a winter weather supply kit in their vehicle in case of an emergency.

Several inches of snow in parts of the state on Monday caused some high school basketball and hockey games to be canceled along with other events, and it also caused a rash of traffic accidents in some areas.

Door County sheriff's officials said that at least five people were injured in a crash on state Highway 57 involving a tractor-trailer truck, a pickup truck and a car. The crash south of Brussels shut down that section of the highway for more than five hours.

Area Cities Declare Snow Emergencies

The Beloit Director of Public Works declared a snow emergency on Tuesday. Under the emergency, vehicles are forbidden to impede snow removal and plowing operations on city streets. The Beloit Police Department is permitted to move any vehicle to another location at the owner's expense.

Beloit city officials also announced on Tuesday that regular garbage and recycling collection would be postponed due to the weather.

The city of Monona declared a snow emergency beginning at midnight on Wednesday through midnight on Thursday. The city prohibits parking on snow routes or any other city street during the emergency.

Stoughton has declared a snow emergency that goes into effect after midnight on Wednesday and remains in effect for the next three days. The city's parking regulations during the emergency stipulate that vehicles park on the even sides of the street on even numbered days and odd side of the street on odd numbered days.

Fort Atkinson has declared a snow emergency beginning at midnight on Wednesday and continuing until all streets are plowed back to the curb, according to public works officials.

The village of McFarland declared a snow emergency from 1 a.m. to 10 p.m. on Wednesday. No parking is allowed on city streets during the emergency. Alternate parking is available in the Municipal Center parking lot, the McFarland Public Library parking lot and the lot located at Exchange and Farwell streets.

Sun Prairie declared a snow emergency when snow levels reach 3 inches. During the emergency, the law prohibits parking on any city street.

The city of Janesville declared a snow emergency for Tuesday starting at 11 p.m. During the emergency, all vehicles must be removed from city streets and public parking lots until snow plowing operations are complete.

Officials said that unable to park in a driveway or garage, can park their vehicle one of the designated snow emergency parking stalls. These stalls are located in the six downtown municipal parking lots listed below:

East Wall Street Lot at East Wall Street & North Parker Drive

Municipal Building Lot at West Wall Street & North Jackson Street

South High Street Lot at West Court Street & South High Street

Senior Center Lot at St. Lawrence Avenue & Water Street

Hedberg Public Library Lot on Water Street

River/Union Street Lot at South River Street & Union Street

Learn About Area Cancellations, Closings

Note: For those who want to submit school closings, delays or cancellation information, please do so through normal means. For those who want to post other types of event cancellations, e-mail them. Please include all relevant information. A phone number is required should we need to confirm the information.

MADISON

The Madison Children's Museum will be closed on Wednesday due to the extreme weather conditions.

Goodman Atwood Community Center programs, includes preschool and after-school child care, is canceled on Wednesday.

Whiz Kids Learning Center is closed on Wednesday.

Cullen Preschools in Madison is closed on Wednesday.

BELOIT

Beloit Community Health Center will be closed on Wednesday.

Beloit Clinic will be closed on Wednesday.

The food pantry at Christian Church in Beloit is closed on Wednesday.

COTTAGE GROVE

Kids Safari Learning Center in Cottage Grove is closed on Wednesday.

DELAVAN

Dean Health Clinics is closed on Wednesday in Delavan is closed on Wednesday.

FORT ATKINSON

St. Paul's Lutheran Church is postponing their Ash Wednesday services to Thursday at 3:30 p.m. and 6:30 p.m. because of the weather.

JANESVILLE

Rock County Government Offices are closed on Wednesday.

Dean Health Clinics is closed on Wednesday at Riverview in Janesville is closed on Wednesday.

MILTON

Dean Health Clinics is closed on Wednesday in Milton is closed on Wednesday.

NORTHVIEW

Dean Health Clinics is closed on Wednesday in Northview is closed on Wednesday.

Riverview Urgent Care in Janesville will be opening 1 hour late on Wednesday.

STOUGHTON

Dean Health Clinics is closed on Wednesday in Stoughton is closed on Wednesday.

SUN PRAIRIE

Peace Lutheran Church's noon Ash Wednesday service is canceled. The church's 7 p.m. service is still scheduled.

VERONA

Tanya's Big House 4 Kidz is closed on Wednesday.

WISCONSIN DELLS

Wisconsin Dells Ho Chunk Youth Services will be closed the rest of this week because of the weather. Family Night is canceled for Tuesday night.

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For the latest weather information, visit Channel 3000's Weather section.

Stay tuned to WISC-TV and Channel 3000 for continuing coverage.