Today's Weather: Snow, Freezing Rain Will Disrupt Thursday Morning Commute

It's a cold morning across the region, but the real weather story today is our next storm system. Boston can expect no more than a couple inches of snow tonight, but because it will be followed by freezing rain, the Thursday morning commute is likely to be a bit of a mess.

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Already, clouds are just to our west and will overspread the region during the day as the sunshine fades. Temperatures this afternoon will reach toward the freezing mark but with the sun becoming less powerful throughout the day, don't expect a lot of melting.

After the evening commute, an area of snow will quickly cross the region. This snow will not last very long, only about 2 to 4 hours. After a quick coating up to 2 inches , the precipitation will change over to sleet and freezing rain. This means conditions will be a bit slick through the evening hours and into the first part of the morning commute on Thursday.  There could be 3 inches of snow if the change comes later by an hour or two.

This is a fast-moving system and by the end of the commute, the rain will be over. Clearing skies during the day tomorrow and sunshine will help to boost temperatures well into the 40s.

Friday and Saturday are generally dry days with plenty of sunshine and temperatures into the lower and mid-40s. Another storm moves in for Saturday night and Sunday in the form of a quick burst of wintry mix followed by rain.

Next week has another storm sometime in the middle of the week — but it’s too early to say what form that precipitation will take.

You can follow my updates here and on Twitter @growingwisdom.

Wednesday: Cold start with sunshine, then clouds increase. Highs near 30.

Wednesday night: An early burst of snow with up to 2 inches, then some sleet and freezing rain before it changes to rain. Roads will be slick.

Thursday: Rain ends, then clearing. Highs 42-52.

Friday: Sun and clouds. Highs near 42.

Saturday: Mainly sunny. Highs 40-45.

Sunday: Some rain and mild. Highs in the 40s.