The TV weather folks are already going crazy with predictions of imminent doom as the first significant snowfall of the season begins its assault on Milwaukee. But as you sit glued to the set or making peace with your creator as the white plague descends from the sky, you may want to double-check your parking spot.

Milwaukee's winter parking regulations go into effect tonight, and with as much as 10 inches predicted to fall in some spots, some residents could wake up to find their vehicles snowed in or towed.

Until March 1, overnight parking is prohibited on main through streets and bus routes. The tricky part is that these streets are not posted. You'll have to double-check with the DPW to make sure.

Certain East Side and South Side streets that normally allow overnight parking on both sides of the street revert to alternate-side parking during the winter months. Again, these streets are not posted and you'll need to check the rules for your address.

On even-numbered calendar days, a vehicle with a valid night permit must be legally parked on the side of the street with even house numbers; on odd-numbered calendar days a vehicle must be parked on the side of the street with odd house numbers. Parking is allowed between 2 and 6 a.m. with a valid permit or night parking permission.

Speaking of the East Side, many streets in that neighborhood have signs prohibiting parking when "Snow Falls 4 Inches or More." Parking is allowed on those streets unless, obviously, four inches or more falls and then parking is not allowed on the side of the street with posted signs.

When a snow emergency is declared, as could be the case this evening, overnight parking regulations -- which normally go into effect at 2 a.m. -- begin at 11 p.m. and last until 6 a.m. the next day. Snow emergencies are usually well-publicized, and usually last for about 72 hours or until the mess is cleared up.

During those times, parking is prohibited where "Snow Route Tow-Away Zone" signs are posted. Vehicles parked in violation of this sign will be towed at the owner's expense (currently $95 for the tow and a $20 per day storage fee).

Residents are able to park their cars overnights on Milwaukee Public Schools playgrounds and parking lots during snow emergencies. Call the DPW Information Center at (414) 286-8282 for more information.

To find out the exact regulations for your address, you can log on to the DPW Web site or call (414) 286-8350, 24 hours a day, seven days a week.