MADISON, Ind. (AP) – Forecasters say an approaching winter storm could dump up to a foot of snow on Indiana's far southern counties by Thursday morning.

A winter storm warning now covers Indiana's Ohio River counties and several adjacent southern counties ahead of the storm.

The heaviest snowfalls are expected south of U.S. 50 from Vincennes to Seymour to North Vernon, with 6 inches or more inches forecast. 

But the National Weather Service says between 9 and 12 inches of snow are possible in extreme southern Indiana, in cities such as Madison and Jasper.

Forecasters say up to 2 inches of snow could fall per hour in the warning area starting Wednesday evening.

About an inch of snow is expected in the Indianapolis area, with increasingly heavier amounts south of Interstate 70.