Winter is here: Your guide to the season's first snow

Our lovely, lingering, longer-than-usual fall is over, Minnesota — and winter is off to a fierce start.

Blizzard and winter storm warnings have been issued for much of the state. Some areas are being told to expect a foot-plus of snow accumulation.

Forecasts say the Minneapolis-St. Paul metro area will be spared the brunt of it this time, but ought to expect snow and colder temperatures.

The National Weather Service's Twin Cities center has already put its snow-measuring equipment in place.

Winter is here, and it promises to pack a punch.

Welcome back to winter driving

It's been a while since our last snowy commute. And while forecasts suggest drivers in the Twin Cities won't run into much snowy trouble, covered roads could become an issue for drivers north and west.

First thing to remember: Plan ahead.

"Folks should plan ahead and look to see if they can maybe leave a little bit earlier for work, maybe take a different route," MnDOT's Kevin Gutknecht told MPR News in 2014. "Certainly take their time."

And make sure your car is prepped for the weather.

The Minnesota Department of Public Safety offers a checklist for getting your vehicle prepped for winter weather. Among the suggestions:

• Set the car radio to stations that regularly broadcast weather warnings, traffic reports and instructions. [MPR News station list]

• Stay on designated roads or detours. Avoid shortcuts off main highways, as these may not be plowed or patrolled.

• Assemble an emergency kit and keep it in the vehicle throughout the season.

• Before leaving town, fill your gas tank. While traveling, stop frequently to refill your tank.

Expect driving to be tough, as travelers remind themselves how to drive in the newly fallen snow.

The DPS reminds drivers to stay off the roads during snowstorms if conditions aren't conducive to travel.

Other tips: Leave extra space between cars, stay at least five lengths behind plows, keep your headlights on while it's snowing, don't use cruise control — and take your time.

Other things to look out for

Power outages

Our first storm of the year could pack a heavy one-two punch of lots of snow and high winds. That combination makes for prime power-outage conditions.

Snow emergencies

And don't forget to take the shovel to your sidewalks. Minneapolis handed down 741 fines for sidewalk-shoveling scofflaws in 2014.

Although it's not likely the Twin Cities will see a great deal of accumulation this time around, it's never too early to sign up for snow emergency notifications. Minneapolis | St. Paul

Prepping your pets

Depending on how cold it gets, dogs accustomed to blowing off steam in the backyard might find themselves penned up inside mdash; and driving their owners bonkers.

To persuade reluctant dogs to go outside at all, Maureen Haggerty, owner of The Canine Coach in Minneapolis, recommends making the yard slightly more comfortable for dogs to find a place that is sheltered from the wind. An area between a shrub and a house can be perfect for smaller dogs.

For those who still want to take their dogs along for outdoor activities in the winter, dog experts recommend checking with your veterinarian to see if your dog can handle extended treks in cold weather.

Travel outside Minnesota

• Airport flight status: MSP airport | Fargo airport

• Trains: Amtrak alerts and notices | Northstar commuter line

• Bus: Jefferson Lines