Midweek storm to dump plowable snow before transitioning to sleet, freezing rain

"The current forecast calls for a large area of 5-9" total snowfall which would be for most of the area, while far northern counties and western counties, over towards the Twin Cities may get a bit less, more likely 3-6". Roads across the state are some combination of snowy, slushy, and/or wet. Wind impacts are not expected at this time, and ice impacts don't look thy will be that big a deal given the expected quick change from Snow to ice to rain.

The wet weather will come and go all day with temps climbing to near 40 degrees, many of us will see a switch to rain which will melt the ice quickly. Plan on a slow Tuesday morning and Tuesday afternoon commute. Snow becomes likely by 10 p.m. Snow continues through the night and into tomorrow morning.

It appears we're about to get whacked by a major winter storm. Lighter snow will continue overnight Monday into Tuesday, but the heaviest snow will continue to push toward Minnesota and Wisconsin by Tuesday afternoon. A wintry mix is expected across the southern half of Lower Michigan with ice accumulations possible along I-94.

There is a winter weather advisory in effect for parts of Northeast Ohio. The weather service office in Eureka reported accumulating snow at sea level. While the storm still remains more than 24 hours out, forecasters predict the North Shore and towns west of 495 have the best chance of exceeding 4 inches of snow by the time things are all said and done with this storm. Behind this system, a gusty westerly wind will kick up by Wednesday afternoon (as high as 40 mph).

Dan Zarrow is Chief Meteorologist for Townsquare Media New Jersey.