The afternoon update to the NWS forecast for the storm approaching late Thursday calls for 2 to 4 inches of snow in the city, as well as its northern and western suburbs. A 1-to-3-inch snowfall is expected at BWI and points south and east, with little or none on the Lower Shore.

The predictions come with the usual caveat: the storm's final track could change things. But it would seem that a shift in the predicted path of this event would likely bring more warm air into the region and decrease accumulations, rather than increase them. That's been the pattern this winter; our surprises have generally meant less snow, not more (the reverse of last winter's pattern).

The official forecast for BWI-Marshall Airport calls for rain or snow beginning before 9 p.m., changing to all-snow overnight, with 1 to 3 inches on the ground by daybreak.

In the city, in Towson, Bel Air, Westminster and Columbia, the predicted accumulations look more like 2 to 4 inches, forecasters said. Pajamas ..... inside out, kids.

By afternoon Friday, the sun should reappear, leading into a cold but sunny weekend. The next storm is expected Tuesday or Wednesday of next week.