MONROE - No strangers to snow in these parts, residents and businesses in the area are nonetheless busy preparing for the season's first significant snowfall.
Of course, that's if the forecast is accurate: A low pressure system coming across Iowa and Illinois tonight and Saturday is expected to bring a swath of snow across southern Wisconsin, with a possible total accumulation of 4 to 6 inches, according to a winter storm watch issued Thursday by the National Weather Service.
Officials say they are ready.
"The salt bunkers and the sand and salt bunkers are pretty much full, but hopefully it misses," said Tom Boll, Street Department supervisor for the City of Monroe.
City employees on Thursday were trimming low-hanging tree branches that could potentially interfere with passing snow plows. Boll said they would make a "dry run" on snow routes Friday, looking for other obstructions.
Just in time, it would seem, the city completed its final leaf pickups on Thursday - before outfitting two trucks with sanders for use on slippery roads in cold weather, Boll said.
"The plows have been on the other trucks for two to three weeks already," he added.
Dave Gavigan, manager of Harris Ace Hardware in Monroe, said his customers also are thinking ahead and thinking snow. Shovels and ice melt were hot sellers Thursday.
"They kind of got ready last week," he said. "They knew they needed some."
The winter storm watch remains in effect from Friday evening through Saturday afternoon. The heaviest snow fall is anticipated Friday evening and early Saturday, and will impact an area roughly south and west of a line from Wisconsin Dells to Lake Geneva.
The National Weather Service indicated that some areas southwest of Madison could receive as much as 7 inches. A winter storm watch means there is a potential for significant snow, sleet or ice accumulation that may impact travel.
Of course, that's if the forecast is accurate: A low pressure system coming across Iowa and Illinois tonight and Saturday is expected to bring a swath of snow across southern Wisconsin, with a possible total accumulation of 4 to 6 inches, according to a winter storm watch issued Thursday by the National Weather Service.
Officials say they are ready.
"The salt bunkers and the sand and salt bunkers are pretty much full, but hopefully it misses," said Tom Boll, Street Department supervisor for the City of Monroe.
City employees on Thursday were trimming low-hanging tree branches that could potentially interfere with passing snow plows. Boll said they would make a "dry run" on snow routes Friday, looking for other obstructions.
Just in time, it would seem, the city completed its final leaf pickups on Thursday - before outfitting two trucks with sanders for use on slippery roads in cold weather, Boll said.
"The plows have been on the other trucks for two to three weeks already," he added.
Dave Gavigan, manager of Harris Ace Hardware in Monroe, said his customers also are thinking ahead and thinking snow. Shovels and ice melt were hot sellers Thursday.
"They kind of got ready last week," he said. "They knew they needed some."
The winter storm watch remains in effect from Friday evening through Saturday afternoon. The heaviest snow fall is anticipated Friday evening and early Saturday, and will impact an area roughly south and west of a line from Wisconsin Dells to Lake Geneva.
The National Weather Service indicated that some areas southwest of Madison could receive as much as 7 inches. A winter storm watch means there is a potential for significant snow, sleet or ice accumulation that may impact travel.