Blizzard conditions are expected with total snow accumulations between four and seven inches and wind gusts as high as 50 mph, according to the warning.

Whiteout conditions are expected, making travel treacherous and potentially life-threatening. Plan on slippery road conditions.

NWS forecaster Tyler Hasenstein said the storm was upgraded to a winter storm warning Tuesday afternoon.

“We’ll have some pretty strong winds, creating blizzard conditions after the rain transitions to snow. Peak wind will be 2-5 a.m. Wednesday. It will be wet, heavy snow first. The snow snow end late Wednesday morning but the wind will decrease Wednesday afternoon,” said Hasenstein.

Rain fell on New Ulm throughout Tuesday afternoon, only changing to snowflakes in the evening.

He said the most intense snowfall will fall east of Brown County, from Fairmont to Red Wing.

“It’s tough to say how many inches of snow they’ll get, but it could be double-digits,” said Hasenstein.

The hazardous conditions could impact the Tuesday evening and Wednesday morning commutes. Gusty winds could bring down tree branches.

Warmer weather is forecast for next week with a high of 65 on Monday.

Travel should be restricted to emergencies only. Those traveling are recommended to have a winter survival kit. If stranded, stay with vehicle. Call 5 1 1 or visit 511mn.org for road conditions.

Rain fell on the Minnesota River Tuesday afternoon. The rain would turn to snow by the evening. A few chucks of ice still cling to the shore, left over from the last freeze.

Vehicles drives through a light snowfall on Broadway Tuesday evening.