Rochester Mayor Malik Evans is urging drivers to use caution ahead of significant snowfall hitting the area Thursday morning.

The City of Rochester says the National Weather Service has issued a Winter Weather Advisory for the city from 10 p.m. Wednesday through 4 a.m. Friday. The NWS forecasts three to five inches of snow and wind gusts that may reach 45 miles an hour.

City officials are warning of difficult travel and reduced visibility caused by blowing snow. 

“The first significant snow fall of the year always carries the risk that our winter driving skills might be a little rusty, and the possibility for snow covered roads and limited visibility during the commutes calls for us to use extra caution,” Evans said in a statement. “Please be patient and allow extra time, slow down, and leave room to stop on slippery roads. Help us all get to where we need to go safely.”

The city says snowplows on residential streets will be deployed when three inches of new snow has fallen and sidewalks are plowed when four inches of snow are expected to accumulate. The city says main streets are continually plowed during snowfall. To find out when your street will be plowed, you can use the city's PlowTrax web application.