Say it ain’t snow!

LYNN – Public works officials are losing count of snow storms as yet another is expected to blanket the region late today and continue into Thursday.The AccuWeather forecast for today is for mostly cloudy skies during the day, with temperatures just above freezing and winds from the east-northeast at 8 mph, gusting to 18 knots. Snow is not expected until late afternoon, when temperatures will drop below freezing and winds from the same direction will increase to 22 mph, gusting to 40 mph. A heavy snow is anticipated with an accumulation of 6-10 inches overnight into Thursday morning.The National Weather Service issued a Winter Storm Watch and a Coastal Flood Watch from late tonight through Thursday morning.A 40-percent chance of snow was forecast for daylight hours today. More certain precipitation was expected tonight, with snow heavy at times near midnight and in the following hours before dawn Thursday.The possibility of coastal flooding is most prevalent at high tide, which for Nahant is 4:30 p.m. today and 4:56 a.m. Thursday. The second high tide Thursday is 5:34 p.m.By Thursday afternoon, winds are expected to push the storm north into the Canadian Maritimes, which should improve the weather in Greater Boston.The three previous storms since late December included two blizzards, each costing the city about $500,000 in plowing and cleanup expenses. The latest snowfall was not accompanied by the heavy snow of its predecessors but nonetheless required a snow emergency, parking bans and school closings.Public Works Commissioner Jay Fink said the last storm caused equipment breakdowns that were being addressed by the plow rental company.School Superintendent Catherine Latham said she has been monitoring television weather reports. “We will have school on Wednesday. After that, we’ll have to see what comes up for Thursday,” she said. “I’m getting to know all the weather channels.”Mayor Judith Flanagan Kennedy said she has been tuned to the National Weather Service and the television forecasts. “The Weather Service has put out a storm watch. Flipping through the networks, it looks like we will be getting snow in the 8-to-10 inch range,” she said. “The timing is tough because the bulk of the snow is going to arrive overnight. If we declare a snow emergency, cars will be parked in the school yards and there won’t be time enough to get the lots plowed out before school begins. But I would rather have the kids safe.”In Saugus, public works crews Tuesday were cleaning up from the previous storm, removing snowbanks from corners where drivers complained of poor visibility.Saugus Public Works Director Joseph Attubato said his employees have been prepping for the upcoming snowstorm. “We’re ready and have an ample supply of salt and sand,” he said, noting that equipment broken during the previous storm has been repaired.”Every storm has its unique characteristics and set of challenges, which is why we prepare for every event and develop a response plan so that we can overcome the challenges storms bring,” said Christopher Root, National Grid senior vice president of Electricity Operations. “Equally important, as the storm approaches, we want our customers to exercise caution both in and outside of the home.”According to Root, National Grid will have additional crews available and working in New England during the storm. Icing and heavy wet snow can cause local electrical service interruptions. “It’s a good idea to have a number of working flashlights, at least one battery-operated radio and an extra supply of batteries in your home,” he said.National Grid customers who depend on electric-powered life support equipment, such as a respirator, should register with the power company by calling its customer care center at 800-322-3223. For information on the storm visit http://weather.weatherbug.com/MA/Lynn-weather/weather-maps/interactive-map.html?zcode=z6286.