Schools are closed and roads are messy as the first significant snowfall of the season sweeps across the North Country.

The National Weather Service has a hazardous weather outlook and a winter storm warning remain in effect until 7 p.m. tonight

Accumulations today should total 1 to 3 inches, and more locally along the northern slopes of the Adirondacks. Storm total accumulations are expected to ranger from about 10 to 14 inches of snow.

Periods of snow will continue today, but gradually decrease in intensity toward this evening.

The maximum snowfall rate, up to 1 inch per hour, was expected mainly this morning.

Winds are from the west at 15 to 20 mph with gusts up to 35 mph, so hazardous travel conditions are expected, with some blowing and drifting snow possible, which will lower visibilities.

Highs today will reach the upper 20s to lower 30s. Lows tonight are predicted to be in the mid 20s.

Tuesday it will be a little warmer with highs around the freezing mark, diminished winds, and a 40 percent chance of snow.

The NWS says high pressure moving into the North Country is expected to briefly bring drier conditions Tuesday night and Wednesday. A wave of low pressure moving eastward from the Ohio Valley likely brings our next chance for precipitation, which may result in a mix of light snow and rain on Thanksgiving Day.

The NWS forecast for the St. Lawrence Valley and northwestern Adirondacks:

• Today: Snow showers. High near 29. West wind around 17 mph, with gusts as high as 28 mph. Chance of precipitation is 100%. Total daytime snow accumulation of 3 to 5 inches possible.

• Tonight: Snow showers. Low around 25. West wind 11 to 17 mph. Chance of precipitation is 90%. New snow accumulation of 1 to 3 inches possible.

• Tuesday: A 40 percent chance of snow showers, mainly before 2pm. Cloudy, with a high near 32. West wind 11 to 13 mph. New snow accumulation of less than a half inch possible.

• Tuesday Night: Mostly cloudy, with a low around 20. West wind 6 to 11 mph.

• Wednesday: Partly sunny, with a high near 31. West wind around 5 mph becoming calm in the morning.

• Wednesday Night: A 30 percent chance of snow showers after 8pm. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 23. Calm wind.

• Thanksgiving Day: A chance of snow showers before noon, then a chance of rain and snow showers between noon and 1pm, then a chance of rain showers after 1pm. Cloudy, with a high near 38. Light east wind. Chance of precipitation is 40%.

• Thursday Night: A 40 percent chance of snow showers. Cloudy, with a low around 30. Light east wind.

• Friday: A chance of snow showers before 11am, then a chance of rain and snow showers between 11am and noon, then a chance of rain showers after noon. Cloudy, with a high near 39. Calm wind. Chance of precipitation is 40%.

• Friday Night: A chance of snow showers before 11pm, then a chance of rain and snow showers between 11pm and 3am, then a chance of snow showers after 3am. Cloudy, with a low around 31. Calm wind. Chance of precipitation is 50%.

• Saturday: A chance of rain and snow showers. Cloudy, with a high near 39. Light west wind. Chance of precipitation is 50%.

• Saturday Night: A chance of rain and snow showers. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 28. Light west wind. Chance of precipitation is 40%.

• Sunday: A 30 percent chance of snow showers. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 37. Calm wind.