Editors are already asking whether tonight's expected snowfall will be enough to justify running the "physiology of snow shoveling" story I wrote in December. Alas, no. Forecasters say that, while the rain today will likely change to snow as the next cold front passes through, and a storm center intensifies off the Virginia coast, we're slated for just "a dusting to a half inch" in the DC-Baltimore area.

Maybe we'll stow that article away for next year. There is no significant snow in sight for us, although we will see some more much-needed rain today, Friday night, and again Sunday, if the forecast holds up. (Thursday and Friday should bring sunshine and highs in the 40s and 50s.)

There are some who say that, simply by writing the shoveling story, I have single-handedly kept shovel-worthy snow away this season. Of course, as a mild-mannered reporter for a Great Metropolitan Newspaper, I claim no such powers.

Precipitation that began yesterday as snow, sleet and freezing rain has so far dropped 1.25 inches at Baltimore-Washington International Thurgood Marshall Airport. I'd tell you how much we received here at The Sun, but our rain gauge is frozen, and only 0.18 inch has trickled through so far. Ditto for the gauge on the WeatherDeck in Cockeysville, where my favorite teacher has another day off. 

The total at BWI brings precipitation for the month to about 3 inches. It's a good and welcome total, but not yet the surplus we still need.

Here are some snow and ice measurements from across the region. Looks like Frostburg wins the snow prize, with 5 inches.  Virginia saw the heaviest ice accumulations.