BISMARCK, ND (KXNET) — It’s no April Fool’s joke, unless Mother Nature is playing a prank on spring — it’s snowing, and it is wet and heavy and it will hang around for a day or so.

And it’s colder than normal.

And breezy, with winds blowing 10 to 20 miles per hour.

And foggy.

A Winter Weather Watch went into effect at 7:00 a.m. Tuesday and runs through 7:00 p.m. Wednesday.

“We’ve got a lot going on this morning,” says KX Meteorologist Andre Brooks. “It’s a good morning to take it slow on the highways and plan ahead when traveling across the area.”

The snow is mainly falling across and east of U.S. Highway 83. However, moderate snowfall is also being reported in Bismarck, Garrison, Minot, Bottineau and other communities north and south.

According to the North Dakota Department of Transportation interactive highway map, road conditions in the central part of the state, including Bismarck, are snow-covered with scattered snow drifts.

Roads from Crosby to Mohall in the upper northwest area are also snow-covered with scattered snowdrifts.

Brooks notes the greatest potential for a lot of snow is Wednesday afternoon until the evening.

“Once we get into around 7:00 p.m. Wednesday, that is when those conditions are going to improve,” Brooks says.

All told, the Bismarck area will likely receive about three to five inches of snow, while five to ten inches are likely east toward Jamestown.

Minot may see one to four inches out of the storm.

Thursday through the weekend, skies will start clearing and temperatures will get into the upper 40s by Saturday.