If you didn't or couldn't buy a snowblower last season, your time is running out to buy one of the coveted back-savers this winter.

Dealers in the Madison area said Wednesday that with up to a foot of snow on the way, their already depleted supply of snowblowers will likely take another big hit.

And if they don't run out of snowblowers due to this storm, the next big storm could put an end to the supply.

"We've still got a decent supply but the way they're going out of here (Wednesday), I don't know," said John Lusk, who has worked at Engelhart Greensmith, 1589 Greenway Cross, for more than 10 years. "The manufacturers are out of snowblowers and the distributors, if they're not out they're close to it."

The National Weather Service in Sullivan has issued a storm warning for heavy and blowing snow for southern Wisconsin from 6 p.m. Thursday night to noon Friday. Snowfall accumulations of 8 to 12 inches are expected.

Engelhart Greensmith began selling snowblowers in August and by October had sold 200. Lusk said the business may sell about 500 snowblowers this year, some as wide as 38 inches and costing $2,500.

Wolff Kubly Hardware, 6305 University Ave. in Middleton, started the season with 42 snowblowers but by late Wednesday was down to about six.

"It's been a real strong year," said Scott Getz, manager of the 10,000-square-foot store. "You can't tie up too much inventory because it's such a high-priced item. If you have a dozen left over, it can really affect your cash flow."

Getz said he ordered more shovels than last year and they are easier to come by if he needs more. Like last year, sales of sidewalk salt have also been strong.

Dave McCartney, assistant manager of Dorn True Value Hardware & Just Ask Us Rental in Sun Prairie, said they do not rent snowblowers but he had about a dozen remaining on the sales floor Wednesday.

Convincing shoppers to buy, typically doesn't take much of a pitch.

"Generally when they're looking, they're tired of shoveling," McCartney said. "In most cases they're going to buy one."