MADISON, Wis. -- The first major snowstorm of the season dumped up to a foot in parts of Wisconsin Tuesday, closing dozens of schools and creating slick, icy roads that caused numerous tractor-trailers to jackknife.

VIDEO: Watch The Report | READ: Read Channel 3000 Snowstorm Blog | READ: Eastbound Interstate 39/90 Reopened After Jackknifed Semi Blocks Road

Madison was among the places where schools canceled classes, giving thousands of students the day off.

Wisconsin Emergency Management reported the eastbound lanes of Interstate 39 and 90 near Beloit were blocked for about an hour when a truck jackknifed, creating a 3-mile traffic backup and forcing vehicles to be rerouted. No major injuries were reported.

One of the heaviest snowfalls was at Ripon, which had 11 inches by early afternoon. Pardeeville in Columbia County had 12 inches and Fond du Lac had 10 inches.

Madison received about 6.5 inches Tuesday. Meanwhile, about 9 inches of snow fell in Beaver Dam. Portage received about 9.3 inches. Middleton received about 6.5 inches.

Parts of the south had freezing rain and sleet along with the snow.

The Madison Metropolitan School District's first snow day of the year didn't keep students like Franklin Elementary School second-grader Cecelia Enright inside.

"My mom told me there's no school, then I looked out the window and then I saw snow, and when I got out there it was really, really cold," Enright said. "We're going to have some hot chocolate."

Enright spent Tuesday sledding on the new snow.

Meanwhile, Madison resident Gary Balgord was busy clearing his driveway with a snow blower Tuesday.

"A snow blower makes it possible. People who don't have a snow blower that are over 50, they're crazy," Balgord said.

A high pressure system moving across the state Tuesday night is bringing much colder weather, and highs Wednesday are expected to range from the teens in the northwest to the mid-20s in the southeast.

UW Enacts Snow Action Day

The University of Wisconsin enacted a Snow Action Day on Tuesday. School officials didn't cancel classes on Tuesday, but they encouraged students, staff and faculty to use caution.

Officials said that those driving to campus were encouraged to park in cleared parking areas where possible, and commuters were also encouraged to leave their cars at home and ride the bus to campus.

"The new snow emergency program has making a lot of good changes because last year was just horrible," said University of Wisconsin-Madison student Aaron Stransky. "Not enough attention was paid to the sidewalks so it was really, really difficult to walk around."

As part of UW-Madison's new snow removal efforts, 30 students hired by the university's Facilities and Management Department were called to help shovel snow on Tuesday afternoon and evening, according to John Harrod, of the department.

John Lucas, of the university's communication center, said that the campus is remaining open because upcoming final exams will begin in the coming days.

"Well, I'm from California so this (snow) is ridiculous, but I have my final paper due," said one UW-Madison student.

But some alumni said walking up Bascom Hill in the snow reminded them of their days as students.

"This is an essential Wisconsin memory, going off to class and (trying) to stay warm," said Ken Goldstein, a political science professor at UW-Madison.

The last time UW-Madison canceled afternoon and evening classes was in February. Daytime classes are seldom canceled. The last time they were canceled was in 1990 when 17 inches fell in a 14-hour period.

Meanwhile, snowmobile trails in some northern areas of Dane County are now open for public use, officials said. The most active area is east of Highway 51 and north of Highway 18/151, which includes Military Ridge State Trail. All of the snowmobile trails opened by 4 p.m. on Tuesday, according to the Dane County Council of Snowmobile Clubs and Dane County Parks Division.

Gregg Johnson, of the Columbia County Snowmobile Association, said that all trails in Columbia County will remain closed until Dec. 15 due to a T-zone deer hunt through Dec. 14. Johnson said snowmobilers should stay off the trails until Monday.

The Dane County Parks Division said that all cross-country ski trails are in fair condition with 1 to 3 inches of snow. Skiers can now set their own track and grooming of the trails will begin as soon as conditions improve, officials said.

County, Cities Declare Snow Emergencies

Several area communities have already declared snow emergencies as the storm creeps closer toward southern Wisconsin.

The city of Madison has declared a snow emergency, which will remain in effect until 7 a.m. on Thursday. The emergency means that alternate side of the street parking restrictions will be in effect throughout the city, including the downtown area.

The city of Janesville has declared a snow emergency starting at 2 p.m. on Tuesday. All vehicles must be moved from city streets and public parking lots until plowing operations are complete.

The city of Beloit has issued a snow emergency starting at 8 a.m. on Tuesday and continuing until 8 a.m. on Wednesday. Vehicles should be moved from all city streets.

The village of Marshall has declared a snow emergency starting at 11 p.m. on Monday until 11 p.m. on Wednesday. Parking on all village streets is prohibited, according to Marshall Police Chief Lee Hellenbrand.

The city of Stoughton has also declared a snow emergency beginning at midnight on Tuesday and remains in effect for three days. Parking in the city will be permitted only on the even numbered side of the street on even numbered calendar dates and then the odd numbered side of the street on odd numbered calendar days.

The city of Portage has issued a snow emergency starting at 2 a.m. on Tuesday. Parking is prohibited on all designated snow routes. Two hours later at 4 a.m., parking is prohibited on all other streets except in the city's business district. Parking in the business district will be prohibited from between midnight and 7 a.m. The Portage Municipal Services Department said that the emergency will remain in effect until the streets have been cleared curb to curb.

The Town of Pleasant Springs declared a snow emergency early Tuesday morning. All parking on town roads is prohibited from 5 a.m. on Tuesday until 5 a.m., on Friday.

The village of Cambridge has declared a snow emergency. Street parking in the village is prohibited.

The city of Sun Prairie has declared a snow emergency effective on Tuesday and continuing into Wednesday. The emergency means there's no parking on any city streets and the emergency will remain in effect until a street has been completely plowed from curb to curb.

The village of Black Earth has declared a snow emergency on Tuesday. Officials said that no vehicles can be parked on any village street after 6 p.m.

The city of Monona has issued a snow emergency on Tuesday, which will remain in effect until noon on Wednesday. The Monona Police Department said that it will begin ticketing vehicles parked on city streets and will starting towing vehicles at 7 p.m.

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