If the winter storm warning issued by the National Weather Service proves to be accurate, today and Wednesday will be a time to bundle up, stay off the highways and wait for better weather.

Snowfall reaching three to four inches was expected to commence early this morning and continue into the afternoon, according to Meteorologist Brandon Dunstan of the national Weather Service.

“There is a very potent upper level disturbance approaching from the west,” he said by phone from the service’s Raleigh office. “Due to this system, Scotland County can expect rainfall beginning Monday night before changing to an all snow event early Tuesday morning which will continue into the afternoon.”

Unlike the usual mix of rain, sleet and snow that this area commonly receives, Dunstan said this front will be different.

“The system will cause a low pressure area to intensify offshore,” he said, “causing it to intensify and bringing northerly winds to the area. That means that we will be on the cold side of the system; three inches of snow is a good bet, with perhaps more.”

The weather will clear tonight, but the chance for icy conditions remains due to the low overnight temperatures.

“We have forecasted a Tuesday night low into the teens,” Dunstan said, “which makes the potential for ‘black ice’ on the roads very strong, even into Wednesday morning. Until this event has passed we urge everyone to stay off the roads and let the crews take care of the highways.”

Laurinburg grocery stores saw a brisk business Monday as locals stocked up on staples and other necessities in anticipation of the snow.

“We currently have a steady flow of customers,” Harris-Teeter Manager Charles Daniel said. “People are purchasing a lot of the basic things, like canned items, bread, milk and water. We also remind them that a lot of the canned goods they purchase are not pop-tops, and will require can openers. We sell more can openers this time of year than at any other time.”

Daniel said the people who are stocking up on necessities ahead of the storm are “going on faith” based on the forecasts, while others are taking a “wait and see” attitude.

“Right now the customers seem to be in a state of urgency, but not high urgency,” Daniel said. “But if the snowflakes start falling, I expect we’ll see a lot more customers coming though the door.”

After a Wednesday night low in the mid-20s, Thursday’s temperatures should be in the mid-50s with a Friday forecast of near 61 degrees as the high.