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Winter storm: Freezing rain, sleet and snow taking aim at region

Spring will officially arrive at 12:15 p.m. today, but someone forgot to tell Mother Nature. A winter storm is taking aim on the Miami Valley and will bring a mix of freezing rain, sleet and snow to the region starting this morning.

RELATED: Winter Weather Advisory in effect 

Precipitation is expected to develop early today across the far southern Miami Valley and spread northward toward I-70 by daybreak. Much of the precipitation will fall as rain, but as temperatures drop toward daybreak, a band of freezing rain is possible.

RELATED: Remember these things when driving in snow

The morning commute may not be too bad, Storm Center 7 Chief Meteorologist Eric Elwell said.

"The last few days of mild temperatures has helped push road surface temperatures well above freezing. That means that main roads should just be wet early Tuesday," he said. "However, elevated surfaces like cars, bridges and decks could become slippery."

SEE: WHIO Doppler 7 Interactive Radar

But the wintry weather won't be over yet.

A Winter Weather Advisory will go into effect as of 8 p.m. tonight and continue until 8 p.m. Wednesday. A break in the precipitation is expected midday today before returning in the evening. As temperatures drop after sunset, snow will become the primary form of precipitation and it will increase in coverage and intensity tonight, Elwell said.

"Snowfall amounts will generally range from 2 to 4 inches by mid-morning Wednesday," Elwell said. "But isolated higher amounts are possible.

RELATED: Don't deflate tires to drive on ice, snow

This is something we'll have to watch closely as new model data comes in."

Motorists should prepare for a slow morning commute Wednesday with improving conditions in the afternoon, he said.

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