State and local officials are gearing up to cope with another eight to 11 inches of snow that’s predicted to hit the area over the next couple of days.

The state’s Emergency Operations Center, which works with local municipalities in handling weather emergencies, was activated Sunday for a second time in less than a week. The activation came after the National Weather Service issued a winter storm warning to run from 6 a.m. Monday until noon Tuesday.

Most of the snow is expected to come overnight Monday into Tuesday, but it will begin with freezing rain early Monday morning. Snow will start falling during the day Monday, with accumulation of about an inch, before the more significant snowfall moves in Monday night.

“Prepare for a major winter storm,” said Jenifer Bowen, a National Weather Service meteorologist. “The models could still change a little, and that could give Douglas County slightly higher (or) lesser snow totals than what we’re predicting.”

Lawrence snow plow crews were headed back to duty at midnight Monday to be ready to go as the storm hits. The city also has called in additional city resources and private contractors for help plowing roads.

“This storm has the potential to be more dangerous than last week’s storm,” Gov. Sam Brownback said in a media conference call Sunday night. “Driving will be very dangerous, with whiteout conditions. So, we ask you to stay off the road unless it’s absolutely critical.”

Brownback said if residents have to be on the roads, they should be prepared with a charged cell phone, and an emergency kit with food, water, blankets, flares and a shovel.

There will be blowing snow as winds are expected to reach sustained speeds of 20 to 30 miles per hour out of the north-northwest, with gusts of 35 miles per hour. Visibility will be very limited. Moderate to heavy snowfall is predicted to continue through early Tuesday before the storm begins to leave the area Tuesday night. Light snowfall will likely linger in the area throughout Tuesday.

Thursday’s storm brought as much as 11 inches of snow around Lawrence. Bowen said the moisture in the weather systems is what is giving these winter storms an extra boost of snowfall.