MARSHALL — With a severe storm forecast this week, the city is already making preparations.

The city of Marshall has issued a snow removal notice, asking people not to park on residential streets or restricted streets while plow crews are out on Thursday, Friday and possibly Saturday.

On Tuesday, the National Weather Service issued a blizzard warning that will affect Lincoln, Lyon, Murray, Cottonwood and Pipestone counties. The warning will go into effect at 1 p.m. today, and last through 7 a.m. Friday. Total snow accumulations of 12 to 20 inches are expected in this storm, along with wind gusts as high as 50 miles per hour and ice accumulations around one-tenth of an inch.

On Tuesday, Marshall Public Works Director Glenn Olson said city crews will be out clearing snow starting Thursday. Because so much snowfall is projected this week, plow crews might need to clear the streets multiple times, he said.

Members of the public are being asked not to park on residential streets, or on streets normally restricted for winter snow removal, until the streets are plowed curb to curb.

Concerns about the coming snowstorm have canceled plans to hold tornado drills across Minnesota this week. The National Weather Service office in Chanhassen said it will not be holding test tornado watches or warnings on Thursday or Friday. However, the NWS will continue to send out information about severe weather safety online and through social media.

Besides the snow and ice predictions for this week, the NWS is also watching the water levels on the Redwood River. On Tuesday morning, a flood warning was in effect for the Redwood River near Russell, which would last until further notice. The river stage was at 14.34 feet on Tuesday, which is above the flood stage of 14 feet.