For those now resigned to thinking 0 degrees F is the new norm, there is hope on the horizon. More immediately on the horizon, however, is 12-18 inches of powder snow. Skiers will be ecstatic, shovelers relieved it is not heavy, wet snow, and drivers — well, just stay home while the storm is underway.

The major winter storm that has grabbed East Coast and Deep South attention for days is to arrive this evening, Jan. 25, and bury the landscape in snow until 1 a.m.-ish Tuesday morning, Jan. 27. With it comes gusty winds, up to 25 mph, meaning drifts will be building.

Heavy snow is expected, and the National Weather Service, in Gray, said: "Total snow accumulations between 8 and 14 inches. Higher amounts approaching 18 inches are possible along the coast.... The potential exists for snowbands that will bring periods of locally heavy snowfall, which will lead to rapid snow accumulations and extremely dangerous travel conditions. Significant snowfall and periods of heavy snowfall rates will combine with low visibility to create very dangerous driving conditions."

For locals, it has been a while since the last sizeable, or"proper" snowfall, as one resident calls it, was recorded. On Feb. 14, 2017, 24.2 inches of snow fell in one storm, as recorded in Union, according to NOAA's National Centers for Environmental Information. 

If you must travel, keep an extra flashlight, food, and water in your vehicle in case of an emergency.

The latest road conditions can be obtained by going to newengland511.org

Persons should consider delaying all travel. Motorists should use extreme caution if travel is absolutely necessary.

It is another week of a hard, cold winter, but then, next Saturday, temperatures may rise to 27 degrees F. Balmy!

Today
A 30 percent chance of snow after 5 p.m. Cloudy, with a high near 16. Wind chill values as low as -2. North wind around 5 mph becoming calm. 

Tonight
Snow, mainly after 7 p.m. The snow could be heavy at times. Low around 9. Wind chill values as low as -1. Northeast wind 5 to 10 mph, with gusts as high as 20 mph. Chance of precipitation is 100%. New snow accumulation of 8 to 12 inches possible. 

Monday
Snow. High near 20. Wind chill values as low as -1. North wind 10 to 15 mph, with gusts as high as 25 mph. Chance of precipitation is 100%. New snow accumulation of 3 to 5 inches possible. 

Monday Night
Snow, mainly before 1 a.m. Low around 8. Wind chill values as low as -4. Northwest wind around 10 mph, with gusts as high as 20 mph. Chance of precipitation is 80%. New snow accumulation of 1 to 2 inches possible. 

Tuesday
Mostly sunny, with a high near 20. West wind 5 to 10 mph, with gusts as high as 20 mph. 

Tuesday Night
Mostly cloudy, with a low around 5.

Wednesday
Sunny, with a high near 20.

Wednesday Night
Partly cloudy, with a low around 3.

Thursday
Partly sunny, with a high near 19.

Thursday Night
Mostly cloudy, with a low around 3.

Friday
Mostly sunny, with a high near 22.

Friday Night
Mostly cloudy, with a low around 8.

Saturday
Mostly sunny, with a high near 27.