Here's something to brighten up an otherwise unseasonable and lackluster winter in these parts: It will snow throughout Maryland tonight and tomorrow and accumulate about 2 inches in the Baltimore area.

But don't rush out for the emergency supply of bread, batteries and toilet paper -- an exercise seemingly indigenous to the Baltimore area.

The snow won't hang around long in 1992's weather roller coaster. By the weekend, break out the iced tea and clean off the deck furniture because temperatures will return to the mid-50s.

The National Weather Service forecast says a low pressure center moving in from the west likely will bring snow beginning about midnight tonight.

Light snow will continue falling tomorrow, changing to sleet or freezing rain before precipitation ends tomorrow night.

Meteorologist Ken Shaver said temperatures around the freezing mark today will dip into the mid-20s tonight. The same is expected tomorrow, when temperatures will once again warm to the mid-40s on Friday, and go into the mid-50s on Saturday and again Sunday.

While waiting for tonight's snowfall, Shaver said, "We have to remember that it was 60 degrees yesterday afternoon in downtown Baltimore. This is a strange winter."

Tonight's expected snow follows the dusting Saturday that melted in many sections of the metropolitan area as soon as it hit the ground.

On Jan. 25, the region experienced its only significant snowfall of 1992 when the National Weather Service recorded 2.2 inches.