A light coating of snow is expected this afternoon as the temperature improves to a high near 20, said Storm Center 7 Meteorologist Rich Wirdzek.

“Light snow will arrive later in the afternoon and exit by the evening,” he said. “A light accumulation at most, a coating or dusting, but the roads may be an issue for the commute.”

Temperatures today will improve with a high near 20. The real difference will be the wind, with the wind chill value as low as 10 in the afternoon, he said.

By Thursday morning, skies will be clear and temperatures will drop to about 10, which probably will keep some icy spots into the morning commute on untreated roads.

What once looked like a late Thursday into Friday morning snow now appears that there will be more snow about sunrise Friday through later in the day.

This will not be a major storm, but no more than 3 or 4 inches — enough for more driving issues, especially if roads get slick by the morning commute.

Saturday is much like Thursday, quiet but chilly with highs in the low 20s.

Look for a warm up Sunday, eventually getting to about freezing, but maybe not until Sunday evening. We’ll also be tracking a new weather system moving in, that may start as rain or snow Sunday night, but change to rain Monday as warmer air also arrives.

Pet care in cold weather

The American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals provides a list to pet owners that includes tips for caring for animals when the weather is cold. Among the tips:

• Puppies do not tolerate cold weather as well as adult dogs
• Keep in mind animals sometimes get under cars to stay warm, especially cats
• Do not leave animals unattended in vehicles
• Thoroughly wipe off an animal’s legs and stomach when they come inside after it rains and snows

Pipe care in cold weather

Plumbing company Roto-Rooter sent out a release Tuesday reminding homeowners that extreme cold combined with frigid wind chill can cause pipes to freeze and burst in both residential and commercial buildings. They offered the following tips:

• Be aware that when pipes freeze, water pressure builds causing pipes to crack – no matter if the pipe is made of plastic, copper or steel. Even a tiny crack can unleash more than 200 gallons of water in a single day.
• Disconnect outside water hoses. If left connected, water in the hoses will freeze and expand causing outside faucets and connecting pipes inside your home to freeze and break. Cover outside faucets using a faucet insulation kit found at home centers.
• Open kitchen and bathroom cabinets under sinks to allow heat in the room to circulate around uninsulated pipes.
• Be sure the furnace is turned on and set no lower than 55 degrees Fahrenheit.