A state of emergency has been declared by Gov. Scott Walker as a powerful and potentially dangerous winter storm bears down on Wisconsin.

Heavy snowfall, freezing rain, and strong winds are expected, and some areas of west central and northwest Wisconsin could receive more than 12 inches of snow beginning early Thursday, according to Walker's declaration.

The executive order will ready Wisconsin Emergency Management, the Wisconsin National Guard, the Department of Transportation, the Department of Natural Resources and the Wisconsin State Patrol, according to the declaration.