GRAY — In Knox County, the National Weather Service has issued a winter weather advisory for tonight. In Waldo County, there's a winter storm warning in effect. Both areas are expecting snow, but the difference will be in just how much and whether any of it comes down as rain.

For coastal and interior Waldo County, the winter storm warning remains in effect from 5 p.m. Tuesday, Jan. 12, until 10 a.m. Wednesday. Heavy snow is expected, accumulating 4 to 8 inches, with locally higher amounts possible.

Steady snow is expected to begin to fall across the area later this afternoon, and will become heavy at times Tuesday night and overnight into Wednesday. The NWS said in a 3:16 p.m. update that a period of 1- to 2-inch per hour snowfall rates in possible.

The snow will taper off and end late Tuesday night or early Wednesday morning.

In Knox County, the winter weather advisory is in effect during the same period, but snow accumulations will be 4 to 6 inches with locally higher amounts possible. The difference for coastal and island residents is that the steady snow will mix with rain, but temperature dips will cause any rain to change over to snow.

Rapid temperature drops could result in a a flash freeze of wet surfaces, according to the NWS. Snow will taper off and end by early Wednesday morning, but slippery road conditions and periods of poor visibility will exist during the storm.

In Waldo County, winds will be north 5 to 15 mph with gusts up to 30 mph. Temperatures will be in the mid-20s Fahrenheit.

In Knox County, winds will be southwest 10 to 20 mph with gusts up to 30 mph, and temperatures in the lower 30s.

For both areas, this storm is forecast to be of short duration, which is likely positive news.