Up to 6 inches of snow expected through Wednesday; some schools dismissing early

Snow is here, and Mid-Hudson Valley residents can expect anywhere from 3 to 6 inches of the white stuff by Wednesday morning.

A light snow began early Tuesday morning in Dutchess County. A steady snowfall is expected through the afternoon into Tuesday night. The snow is expected to taper off late Wednesday morning. 

"We are looking at a long period of light to moderate snowfall (Tuesday and Tuesday) night," said Dan Thompson, a meteorologist for the National Weather Service in Albany.  The National Weather Service in Albany issued a winter weather advisory for Dutchess County on Monday afternoon. 

CANCELLATIONS: Closings, delays, and dismissals 

Some local public schools have announced early dismissals for the day. Arlington, Wappingers, Hyde Park, Millbrook, Pine Plains, Red Hook, Rhinebeck and Webutuck in Dutchess County and New Paltz, Highland and Marlboro in Ulster County have already announced early dismissal. Our Lady of Lourdes High School in the Town of Poughkeepsie also has early dismissal.

Commuters returning home on Tuesday night should exercise caution. 

“The evening commute might be difficult (Tuesday), but I don’t think the morning commute will be too much of a problem,” said John Quinlan, a meteorologist for the National Weather Service in Albany.

The southeastern Catskills and eastern Dutchess County are expected to see the heaviest snowfall. Quinlan said no other snowfall is expected through Saturday.

On Tuesday, the high will be around 30 degrees during the day with lows in the mid- to upper 20s at night. Wednesday will see a high of around 30 again.

A warming trend is also in the way, with temperatures climbing from 32 on Thursday, to 37 on Friday to a high of 44 on Saturday and 47 on Monday.

“That’s a big warm-up,” Quinlan said.

TRACK THE SNOW: Weather radar loop

Amy Wu: 845-451-4529, awu@poughkeepsiejournal.com; Twitter: @Wu_PoJo