It was a winter wonderland that greeted motorists today and yesterday morning. Get used to it -- the National Weather Service says we may see more of it later in the week.

Ray Young, meteorologist at the Charleston, W.Va. office of the National Weather Service, said the snow that accumulated yesterday was the result of a small, narrow system that swung into our region from Canada. Approximately two inches had fallen by noon yesterday, with another half inch added by nightfall. Young said frigid cold will follow on the heels of the snowfall.

"Our temperatures will not get above freezing until Martin Luther King, Jr. Day (Monday)," Young said. "We're in for about six days of below-freezing temperatures during the day as well as overnight."

Young said more snow could fall late Thursday night and early Friday.

"We're watching a storm track that may move into this area," Young said. "If the track hits us just right we could see some snow. Our best guess is three inches, but that could go up or down depending on what the track does."

The snow yesterday forced the cancellation of some classes and school related activities. Rock Hill Schools closed their doors yesterday; Dawson-Bryant Elementary's After School Mall and its Latch-key program were canceled yesterday afternoon, though students remained in class throughout the day. Symmes Valley, Chesapeake and South Point officials sent their students home early yesterday. Symmes Valley officials postponed the junior varsity and varsity boys basketball games. Those games between Symmes Valley and Green High School will be rescheduled for Feb. 15. Other after school activities at Symmes Valley Schools were also canceled.

Fairland Elementary and Middle School After School Malls were canceled yesterday afternoon.

Today, all Lawrence County schools except Symmes Valley, Ironton City and Ironton Catholic schools closed their doors and gave students an extra day away from their studies. Ohio University Southern also kept its regular class schedule in spite of the snow.

While some Lawrence Countians got to sleep in this morning, some were working overtime.

Ohio Department of Transportation crews throughout District 9 spent last night and this morning plowing and treating state and federal highways, according to ODOT spokeswoman Kathleen Fuller.

"Again, motorists who must be traveling today are reminded to exercise additional caution. Roadways are slick, and hazardous conditions may be present, especially on bridges and overpasses where freezing is likely to occur more quickly," Fuller said. "All drivers are asked to reduce their speed, maintain a safe following distance when traveling behind other vehicles and allow additional time to arrive at their destination."

Local law enforcement agencies reported some minor accidents that

yesterday, but said the number of traffic accidents fell sharply after sundown.