Mother Nature is poised to dump yet another load of snow and ice on our region, followed by springlike temperatures Wednesday before plunging back down into the single digits Thursday night.

The National Weather Service is forecasting snow to start sifting down this afternoon.Temperatures are expected to hit a high of 28 degrees, with only about an inch of snow accumulating.Schools began dismissing early in response to the forecast, which sparked a debate on Facebook.Some questioned why the early dismissal, but one mother said, "Some areas will see heavy snow for a short time. My kids' bus drops off at 3:45 so early dismissal yes ... please."Freezing rain will enter the picture starting at about 10 p.m., accumulating to about a tenth of an inch and changing to rain after midnight. By dawn, temperatures are expected to rise to about 35 degrees.Wednesday is expected to be rainy, with a high of about 42 degrees.But then temperatures will drop to about 20 degrees overnight, and the rain will change to snow, accumulating to about 2 to 4 inches.Thursday is expected to bring an inch or 2 of more snow in the morning.Throw on an extra blanket Thursday night, because temperatures are expected to plummet to about 3 degrees.Friday will kick off a warming trend, with sunny skies and a high of 24.Saturday follows suit, with highs hitting 36 under sunny skies, and Sunday brings more of the same, with temperatures hitting 39 degrees, according to forecasters.We'll be turning the clocks ahead Saturday night so we'll start to see longer days.Spring is really on its way.