First the snowstorm, then, dare we hope, spring?

Looks like spring is near, finally — waiting on the other side of Wednesday's snowstorm.

Though late, that storm is not expected to be as severe as last weekend's historic snowfall.

Beginning Thursday, the National Weather Service predicts weather will be "normal April-like," said meteorologist Ross Carlyon: sunny and dry across Minnesota with the high crossing the 50-degree mark this weekend.

First, however, southern Minnesota faces another a winter weather advisory. The forecast shows accumulating snow late Tuesday night through Wednesday evening. No snow is predicted for the northern part of the state.

The Twin Cities area is expected to get 1 to 3 inches of fresh snow by 2 p.m. Wednesday. The southern part of the metro area, including Scott and Dakota counties, will receive the bulk of it, the forecast said. A mix of snow, rain and freezing rain is expected to start by 4 a.m. Wednesday and continue through the evening.

A winter storm warning has also been issued for Martin, Faribault, Freeborn, Waseca and Steele counties in southern Minnesota, where 5 to 8 inches of snow is predicted. A winter weather advisory has been issued for areas from Madison to Red Wing, where 3 to 6 inches of snow is expected.

Afterward, temperatures will be on an upward glide until the end of the month at least, the weather service said.

"So, whatever happens in snowfall will melt in rising temperatures after Wednesday," he said.

In Minneapolis, authorities were busy tagging and towing illegally parked vehicles Tuesday — the last day of the snow emergency. In all, officials said 855 cars were towed, but 520 had been released by Tuesday.

St. Paul didn't tow any cars during its snow emergency because the city's impound lot contract expired Friday. Public Works Director Kathy Lantry said it wasn't possible to extend the contract because another client was scheduled to use the lot. But she said many residents moved their cars and plows didn't have any more trouble than usual clearing streets.

Despite the forecast for Wednesday, Lantry said she expected any additional snow would melt on contact.

"Now we're going to start getting complaints about potholes again," she said.