"Temperatures will be no higher than the 20s [on Thursday and Friday] and we will be down in the single digits and low teens by Friday morning, with some record low temperatures possible in some areas," Cioffi said Monday morning.
But first, "with the arrival of the Arctic air beginning anytime from Wednesday night into Friday morning, there could be some snow showers and snow squalls in some areas," he said.
"Those squalls could easily whiten the ground up in areas, and there is even the chance that someone could get an inch or so a heavier squall."
A National Weather Service winter weather advisory remained in effect until 10 a.m. on Monday, and several school districts delayed openings. Cioffi said the rain would end by afternoon.
Although temperatures will inch up during the weekend, "snow to ice to rain" is possible, followed by icing inland, he said.
"How this plays out of course will depend on how the core of the Arctic air moves out and where the high pressure center winds up exiting. Does it move off shore near us or to our south? Or does it exit to the north and northeast?
"That could make a huge difference especially when it comes to the ice part of this."
READ MORE: Snow, ice threat, bitter cold ahead
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