Forecasters are still expecting several inches of snow and plenty of wind for Maryland as the latest coastal storm gathers to our south and prepares to drift by to our east. But this time the crosshairs are on northern New England, Central New York State, northern Pennsylvania and northwestern New Jersey.

Those folks will see a humdinger, by all accounts. Wet, heavy snow and high winds will likely bring down limbs and trees, and knock out power for extended periods. Heavy rain on the east side of the storm could combine with snow melt to produce flooding. On the New England coast, tropical-storm-force winds will batter homes and beaches and cause coastal flooding. There should be some great video in the next few days, but considerable hardship for those in this storm's path.

Here, forecasters have posted Winter Storm Watches for all of Central and Southern Maryland, from Frederick County east. Other forecast stations have done the same for the Eastern Shore, Delaware, New Jersey and eastern Pennsylvania.

The storm will begin here as rain and snow late today, changing to all snow in the wee hours. Accumulations are forecast at only an inch by daybreak, but with 2 to 4 inches more to follow for Baltimore on Thursday as temperatures stall in the low 30s. Points north and east could see an inch or two more, and points south an inch or two less. Salisbury could get 2 to 6 inches before it all ends late Thursday.

Perhaps the most remarkable thing here will be the "blowout" tides, as strong northwest winds drive water down the Chesapeake and produce some unusually low water. After nearly 50 inches of snow already this month - much of it thankfully now melted away - another 5 inches doesn't seem like a worry at all. 

Elsewhere, FootsForecast.org is focusing on the winds, which could reach 27 mph sustained for Baltimore, with higher gusts. The student forecasters' snow accumulation forecast foresees 8 inches or more from Washington to Philly, on the high end again as they have been for much of this winter - often correctly.

I will be on assignment until mid-afternoon. Will check back then.