Residents and snow removal teams in Minnesota, Montana and Wisconsin are among those preparing for the impacts of Winter Storm Astro.  

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Astro is expected to lay down a heavy blanket of snow across several states in the week ahead with snowfall having already begun Sunday in parts of Montana.

Residents are stocking up on supplies to ensure a smooth ride through the season's first major winter storm, which could dump over a foot of snow on parts of Minnesota, Wisconsin and Michigan.

(MORE: Winter Storm Astro Forecast)

The following are current preparations state-by-state: 

Minnesota

Twincities.com reported that families were out gathering groceries, shovels and snow blowers. 

According to WCCO-TV, families were also shopping for safety necessities including snow tires and snow boots. REI was filled to the brim with customers shopping for what they needed, and according to Guy Still of REI, customers were buying up winter boots, hats and gloves on Saturday. 

Tires were one of the hottest commodities flying off the shelf. WCCO-TV reported that several auto shops were staying open late in order to ensure customers got what they needed. 

Schools were preparing to assess whether or not to close schools Monday, Twincities.com noted. Julie Schultz Brown, spokeswoman for St. Paul Public Schools, said, "We're pretty much standing at the ready. We'll be out early at 3 a.m. on the roads, and we'll make the decision early in the morning."  

Minneapolis Public Schools said in a statement Sunday evening that they do not plan on canceling Monday classes, but would continue to re-evaluate the decision and notify families of any change in plans.

Pat Hogan, spokesman for Minneapolis-St. Paul International Airport, said the airport's snow removal team will "basically live at the airport" for the duration of the storm, USA Today reported. 

(MORE: Bering Sea Superstorm Among the Strongest Extratropical Cyclones on Record)

Montana 

KTMF-TV reported that Nature's Best, a plow service in Missoula, Montana, was preparing for the storm as early as last week. The company checked engines and fluids and was getting liquid de-icer ready for its seven plow trucks. 

Wisconsin 

Postcrescent.com reported that Wisconsinites were out in full throttle purchasing winter tires. Bill Sutter, manager of Pomp's Tire Service in Green Bay, told WBAY-TV, "With the bad weather coming ... everyone is looking for good rubber to be safe and solid on the highways. Employees of the company have been putting in full days to accommodate drivers. 

Delta Air Lines is making traveling a bit easier for customers after issuing a winter weather waiver for those traveling to and from Green Bay in Wisconsin and Minneapolis and Rochester in Minnesota on Monday, htrnews.com noted.

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