A significant storm system will impact the area Wednesday through early Thursday, but the wintry weather will remain away from the city. Warm air in the mid and low levels of the atmosphere is present near the coast, which is allowing the precipitation to change to rain this afternoon. The system is being driven by a process called "warm air advection", where the advection or movement of warm air and strengthening upper level dynamics allows for the development of moderate to heavy precipitation. Farther to our north, plenty of cold air in place will allow for a more prolonged period of snow and sleet. Although the heaviest amounts will be focused over New England, parts of Northwest New Jersey, Southeast New York, and interior Connecticut could see a few inches of snow. In the city and near the coast, a cold rain is expected to fall. The rain could be heavy at times, especially later Wednesday as the best dynamics for precipitation move through. There could also be several periods of light rain, or even no rain at all, beginning later Wednesday afternoon. Finally, after some showers (maybe some snow showers in spots) on Thursday, the system will begin to exit the area. Pictured right: NAM model's storm total snowfall forecast, showing a major snowstorm over New England...and some lighter amounts of Northern NJ/Southeast NY/CT.

* The National Weather Service continues a Winter Weather Advisory for Northern New Jersey, Southeast New York, and interior Connecticut until 12:00pm on Thursday. Click here for more details.

Article written by JH. Published February 29th, 2012 at 1:10pm. For up to the minute details on forecasts, watches, warnings, and alerts, follow us on Twitter and Facebook.