INDIANAPOLIS (AP) — Indiana authorities were bracing for a winter storm forecast to dump up to 8 inches of snow on the state.

Officials at Indiana Dunes State Park on Lake Michigan estimated 2 inches of snow fell there by 3:45 p.m. EST Tuesday. Snow was sticking to pavement in South Bend about the same time.

Schools in northwestern Indiana began dismissing students before noon. The Indiana State Board of Education was among government entities canceling meetings scheduled for Wednesday.

The National Weather Service predicted as much as 8 inches of snow would fall on Lake County, up to 7 inches in Fort Wayne, 6 inches in Muncie, 5 inches in Lafayette and lesser amounts further south.