MADISON, Wis. -- Wisconsin residents are preparing to dig out from another winter storm that is expected to bring several more inches of snow Friday morning.

READ: Read Channel 3000 Snowstorm Blog

A winter storm warning is in effect until noon on Friday for eastern and northeastern Iowa, northern Illinois, and southwestern through south-central Wisconsin. In Iowa, this includes the counties of Allamakee, Clayton, Delaware and Dubuque. In Illinois, this includes the counties of Jo Daviess, Stephenson, Winnebago, Boone and McHenry, including the Rockford and Chicago metropolitan areas.

In Wisconsin, the winter storm warning includes the counties of counties of Monroe, Juneau, Adams, Vernon, Richland, Sauk, Crawford, Iowa, Dane, Grant, Lafayette, Green and Rock. This includes the La Crosse and Madison metropolitan areas.

A winter storm warning is in effect from midnight until 3 p.m. Friday for east-central and southeastern Wisconsin. This includes the counties of Marquette, Green Lake, Columbia, Dodge, Jefferson and Walworth. This includes the Milwaukee metropolitan area.

WISC-TV meteorologist Gary Cannalte said occasional snow will develop Thursday evening. He said the snow might mix with freezing rain or sleet for a time south of Madison. Snow might be heavy at times and isolated thunderstorms are possible. Cannalte said temperatures will dip to 20 degrees, but then rise to the middle 20s overnight.

By Friday, the snow will taper to flurries in the afternoon with a high of 28 degrees. Cannalte said that blowing and drifting snow is possible. Total snow accumulations will of 5-10 inches or more are expected by Friday afternoon.

With the storm approaching, the Rock County Sheriff's Department was at "winter preparedness level two" Thursday.

"We've added at least two deputies on every shift starting (Thursday) at 3 p.m., and additionally we put out an extra supervisor now and through the weekend, too, to help monitor the situation," said Lt. Gary Groelle, of the Rock County Sheriff's Department.

The sheriff's department created a three-level response plan to help deputies and area agencies better prepare for winter storms following last winter's large interstate backup. In level one, during the most severe storms, the county will open its emergency operations center.

The University of Wisconsin-Madison issued a warning Thursday about possible changes in its final exam schedule because of the storm. School officials said they will announce by 5 a.m. Friday if exams need to be postponed.

Make-up exam dates would be set for Saturday and Sunday. The university is urging students to check the school's Web site for the latest updates on final exams.

A new hot line for Wisconsin road information is ready to go just in time for another winter storm. The 511 Traveler Information System has replaced the state Transportation Department's 1-800 ROAD WIS line.

Wisconsin transportation officials said the 511 system offers 267 lines, five times as many as the old system. Expansion plans call for 1,000 lines, which the department said will eliminate busy signals.

The 511 system uses voice recognition software to prompt callers through a list of options providing information on traffic incidents and road conditions. It also offers information on buses, trains, ferries and taxis.

The service is free, but normal cell phone airtime charges apply. Individuals who are deaf or hard of hearing will be able to access and use the entire system through the Wisconsin Relay Service, which is available by dialing 711 and asking the operator to dial the alternate toll-free number at 866-511-9472. That number is also available to users whose cell phone provider doesn't offer direct access to 511.

Municipalities Declare Snow Emergencies

The city of Madison said that a snow emergency will be declared for Friday night through 7 a.m. Sunday morning. The city said people can sign up for text alerts on the snow emergency by at cityofmadison.com/winter.

Several other area municipalities have issued snow emergencies.

The city of Stoughton has declared a snow emergency from midnight to 8 a.m. Friday. Even/odd parking will be in effect, and the snow emergency will remain in effect until three consecutive midnight to 8 a.m. periods have elapsed or the emergency is canceled or extended.

The city of Monona has declared a snow emergency from 10 p.m. Thursday until 10 p.m. Friday. The city said during that time, people are prohibited from parking any vehicle at any time on a designated snow emergency route. Officials said residents shouldn't park any vehicle on any other street within the city during the snow emeregency.

The village of Mount Horeb is declaring a snow emergency. Officials are asking all residents avoid parking on the streets from midnight Thursday to noon on Friday. Residents may call the local police station at 608-437-5522 if they have any questions.

The village of Marshall has declared a snow emergency from 11 p.m. Thursday until 11 p.m. Saturday. During the snow emergency, parking on all village streets is prohibited.

The city of Fort Atkinson had declared a snow emergency beginning at midnight and lasting until noon on Friday.

The city of Adams issued a snow emergency starting at midnight until noon Friday. Officials said street parking will not be allowed overnight.

The city of Portage declared a snow emergency. Officials said that beginning at 2 a.m. Friday, parking is prohibited on all designated snow routes. At 4 a.m. Friday, parking is prohibited on all other streets, except the Central Business District. Residents can call a 24-hour Snow Emergency Hotline at 608-745-4601 for more information.

Meanwhile, area residents are also preparing for another winter wallop. Street crews thorough out southern Wisconsin were already busy this week after cleaning up from Tuesday's snowfall.

On Thursday, plow and salt truck drivers in Madison are resting up awaiting the next storm. Some crew members said that they're hoping for less snow than predicted.

Despite their hopes, Officials with the Madison Streets Department said that they have plenty of salt and sand to handle the roads.

Some local stores are stocking up on extra salt and snow blowers. Home Depot on Madison's West Side said that there's plenty of salt, snow blowers and shovels in stock.

Several Ace Hardware stores in the area said they too have plenty of salt, but have to order snow blowers. They said that those typically take two to five days to arrive.

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 Channel 3000 need to confirm the information.

Click on the following links to receive e-mail or cell phone alerts for severe weather or school closing information.

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

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