A good day to stay in the house

Brace yourself: Snow accumulation could be as much as 12 inches.
By LINDA M. LINONIS
VINDICATOR STAFF WRITER
Haven't bought your sweetie a gift for Valentine's Day on Wednesday? Do it as soon as possible -- before you're snowed in.
Martin Thompson, meteorologist with the National Weather Service in Cleveland, said a winter storm will descend upon the Ohio Valley by way of Oklahoma this morning and continue into Wednesday afternoon.
"We're anticipating some 8 inches of snow and it may go to a foot," Thompson predicted late Monday. "There also will be 30 mph winds that will cause blowing and drifting snow."
Though the Mahoning Valley will be in the grip of a winter storm, the center will be farther south, Thompson said. He cautioned, however, that the Youngstown area will be on the colder side of the storm. "So some sleet may occur," he said.
Karen Oudeman, also a NWS meteorologist, added, "This is what we call a synoptic snowstorm. ... It touches everyone. ... It will reach to Toledo and beyond. That's opposed to a lake-effect storm that touches a part of a county and you can drive out of."
If the Monday night forecast of a chance of snow and then more snow at daybreak has occurred, we'll be greeted this morning by an inch of snow.
Winter storm warning
The NWS issued a winter storm warning from 4 a.m. today until noon Wednesday for Mahoning, Trumbull, Portage and Stark counties. The NWS predicted that "conditions will deteriorate quickly" as the snow becomes heavy.
"The evening commute will be very difficult," the NWS warned those who will be out on the roads later today. There will be near white-out conditions at times.
If you have to go out, dress warmly; clean off your car and drive cautiously. Bring outdoor animals inside. Check cancellations of meetings and events before venturing out.
But take heart, maybe this is just Old Man Winter's last hurrah. Punxsutawney Phil didn't see his shadow on Groundhog Day, Feb. 2. That means an early spring, not six more weeks of winter.
And, if you do get snowed in with your sweetie, snuggle and keep warm.