The weather service has backed off from its earlier forecast for a "wintry mix" (still sounds like a crisp salad) today. Instead of snow, sleet and freezing rain, we're now in line for a little rain, maybe a little sleet after 3 p.m., ending by midnight. The winter weather advisory was cancelled earlier today for the Baltimore area, thought it remains in place to our north and west.

The noon discussion from Sterling suggests the problem was too-dry air left over from the bitter-cold high we saw over the long weekend. Whatever precipitation there was with this thing, it was unable to do very much as it moved up against the dry air already in place. Forecasters are still holding out for some snow showers on the western slopes of the Alleghenies.

Behind all this stuff is more high pressure and a sunny day tomorrow with a high near 40.

The next chance for snow appears to come after sunrise on Thursday. Forecasters are calling for a 50 percent chance for snow showers on Thursday as another cold front presses through. If the forecast holds up, there may be some intense squalls, with rapid accumulation of an inch or two in spots, and gusty winds.

Temperatures Thursday night will drop back into the teens. The weekend looks sunnier, with temperatures about right for this time of year.