Photo by Deb Gau A pedestrian on Marshall’s Main Street was bundled up as snow flurries fell early Wednesday afternoon. National Weather Service forecasts said there will be chances for ice and snow today, followed by extreme cold and more snow on Saturday.

MARSHALL — Southwest Minnesota is in for more wintry weather this weekend, starting with chances for ice and a couple inches of snow today.

The National Weather Service issued a winter weather advisory for parts of the region including Lincoln, Pipestone and Rock counties, due to possible ice and sleet.

National Weather Service technician Tim Masters said that while most of the ice should stay to the south and west, the Marshall area could get about two inches of snow today.

National Weather Service forecasts stated precipitation would start out with light snow this morning, but change to sleet and freezing rain. The time of highest risk for icing would be in the afternoon.

There was the potential for ice accumulation of about 0.04 inches in the Pipestone area, and about 0.03 inches in the Worthington area, the National Weather Service said.

Going into the weekend, area residents should also be prepared for some bitter cold and wind, Masters said.

“With low temperatures around -18 degrees on Saturday night, any bit of wind makes wind chills dangerous,” Masters said.

National Weather Service forecasts stated wind chills in the Marshall area could reach 20 to 30 degrees below zero on Saturday and Sunday. People should dress warmly and use caution when doing anything outside.

There’s also a chance for another round of light snow on Saturday, with Lincoln County and parts of Lyon County forecast to receive up to an inch.

Masters said weather fluctuations in the area have been caused by occasional low pressure areas bringing warmer air, followed by northwest winds.

“The good news is, looking into next week, we should shake the cold air for a little while,” Masters said.

National Weather Service forecasts daytime temperatures getting back into the 20s and 30s next week.