MADISON, Wis. -- After an unusually storm-filled season, winter still won't let parts of the Upper Midwest out of its grip as another snowstorm blows through Wisconsin, Illinois and Iowa.

The snowstorm is sweeping across the southern part of the state. Heavy snow is disrupting Easter travel plans in southern Wisconsin, which could see more than 1 foot of snow by Saturday. Wind gusts of 15 to 30 mph were expected near Lake Michigan, creating blizzard-like conditions.

The National Weather Service issued a winter storm warning for most of southern Wisconsin and parts of Iowa and northern Illinois through Friday evening. About 20 counties are included in the warning.

More than 7 inches of snow have fallen in some parts of the state, while in Madison about 6 inches have fallen by Friday evening. Closer to Milwaukee, neighboring cities like Franklin and West Allis are digging out from more than a foot of snow.

NWS officials initially expected the storm to dump 10 to 15 inches of snow on some parts, but meteorologists are now saying some areas could get 16 or 17 inches of snow.

Some Wisconsin schools that weren't closed for spring break or Good Friday holiday, opted to cancel classes because of the storm. Meanwhile, dozens of churches have canceled or postponed Good Friday services.

The state's largest airport, General Mitchell International, was closed for periods of time on Friday as workers attempted to clear its commercial runways. The airport's two runaways were shutdown for hours, causing cancellations and delays.

Several flights were canceled at Dane County Regional Airport in Madison and officials were expecting more delays and cancellations into Saturday. An airport spokeswoman said that a brief shutdown Friday morning led to delays and cancellations, but the storm has tapered off and operations have since resumed.

On the roads, travel conditions are deteriorating in some parts of the state as heavy, blowing snow continues to accumulate.

Dane County sheriff's deputies have responded to numerous slide-offs, crashes, and disabled vehicles on Friday morning, officials said.

The Wisconsin State Patrol is advising motorists that they stay off the roads and travel only if necessary until road conditions improve. Officials said that county snowplow crews are out throughout the region salting and plowing, but because of the intensity of the snowstorm, travel is discouraged.

Authorities said that the latest weather reports indicate the heaviest band of wet, heavy snow will fall along the interstates 39, 90 and 94 corridors, WISC-TV reported.

The NWS said that the storm will produce several inches of snow and that the snowfall will be heavy at times with thunderstorms possible. Snow accumulations of 8 to 13 inches are possible. They said that blowing and drifting snow could be another problem.

WISC-TV meteorologist Gary Cannalte said that the storm will gradually taper off Friday night. He said it will be mostly cloudy and breezy. The snow will change over to flurries and patchy freezing drizzle with additional accumulations of 1 to 3 inches possible north and east of Madison. He said that total storm accumulations of 2 to 8 inches with local amounts up to 12 inches. The lightest amounts of snow will be in far southwestern Wisconsin while the heaviest amounts are east and north of Madison, Cannalte said. The overnight low will dip to 22 degrees.

Saturday's forecast calls for variable cloudiness and chilly conditions with scattered flurries ending in the morning. The daytime high will reach 35 degrees.

Temperatures are expected to climb back into the 40s by early next week.

The cities of Stoughton and Beloit have declared snow emergencies. In Stoughton, parking will go into effect at midnight to 8 a.m. and remains in effect until three consecutive days have elapsed. Drivers should park their vehicles on either the even or odd side of the street depending on the day. In Beloit, city officials are asking motorists not to park their cars in spots that would interfere with snow removal and plow operations on city streets.

A winter storm warning is issued when heavy snow is expected to cause major impacts to society. NWS officials said that travel will be dangerous and is strongly discouraged. If residents must travel, keep a winter weather supply kit in their vehicle in case of an emergency.

Learn About Area Cancellations, Closings

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MADISON

First United Methodist Church of Madison has canceled its 7 p.m. service, but its noon service is still scheduled.

Westminster Presbyterian Church has canceled its 7 p.m. Good Friday service.

The Westside Clergys' ecumenical Good Friday worship service scheduled for noon at Heritage Congregational Church has been canceled.

Heritage Congregational Church in Madison has canceled its Good Friday service at 7 p.m.

All Madison Area Technical College campuses are closing at 1 p.m. on Friday.

Covenant Presbyterian Church of Madison is postponing Good Friday worship to Saturday at 4 p.m.

BELLEVILLE

First United Church of Christ of Belleville and Zwingli United Church of Christ have canceled Good Friday services.

BLACK EARTH

New Heights Lutheran of Mazomanie and Black Earth has rescheduled Friday night's 6:30 p.m. service for Saturday at 6:30 p.m.

BRIGGSVILLE

Briggsville United Methodist Church and Endeavor United Church of Christ have canceled Good Friday services.

CLINTON

Christ Lutheran Church has canceled its evening Good Friday services.

DEFOREST

Christian Faith Moravian Church has postponed its Good Friday worship until Saturday at 7 p.m.

LAKE MILLS

Lake Mills ecumenical Good Friday service, scheduled at noon at Trinity Lutheran Church, has been canceled. Evening services are still planned.

MAZOMANIE

New Heights Lutheran of Mazomanie and Black Earth has rescheduled Friday night's 6:30 p.m. service for Saturday at 6:30 p.m.

MCFARLAND

Hope Lutheran Church has canceled both the 11:30 a.m. and 7 p.m. Good Friday services.

MONONA

Monona United Methodist Church's 7 p.m. Spanish Good Friday service is canceled.

MOUNT HOREB

Mount Horeb United Methodist Church has canceled its 1 p.m. service on Friday.

PRAIRIE DU SAC

St. John's Lutheran Church has canceled its 6:30 p.m. Good Friday service. It will have its 1 p.m. service.

ROME

St. Luke's Lutheran Church has cancelled both Good Friday services at 3 p.m. and 7p.m.

STOUGHTON

West Koshkonong Lutheran Church has canceled the Good Friday service.

SUN PRAIRIE

Prairie Creek Community Church has canceled its 7 p.m. Good Friday service.

Bristol Lutheran Church has canceled its Good Friday service.

Heartland Community Church has canceled Good Friday services at 6:30 p.m.

Sun Prairie United Methodist Church has canceled its 7 p.m. Good Friday service.

WAUNAKEE

Presbyterian Church has canceled its noon prayer vigil and 5:30 p.m. Good Friday service.

WHITEWATER

The Nelson-Daniel Track and Field Meet at the University of Wisconsin-Whitewater has been canceled.

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