It's likely to be a white Christmas this year, with snow arriving late Christmas Eve and continuing Christmas day.

Forecasts predict at least four inches of snow accumulation with the likely snowfall being between five and seven inches.

For some areas of the Mahoning Valley, up to nine inches of snow can accumulate.

Ohio Department of Transportation (ODOT) and county road departments will be out spreading holiday cheer by keeping the roads safe and passible.

The main concern tonight, rain is expected to transition to snow, which eliminates the opportunity to pre-treat roads ahead of the wintery weather.

Columbiana County Engineer, Bert Dawson says a full crew of 15 trucks is ready to head out at 4 p.m. Thursday evening.

Dawson says crews will likely work through the Christmas holiday after a full crew was organized to work earlier in the week.

ODOT advises motorists will to adjust their driving to the conditions, slow down, maintain a safe following distance behind other vehicles, and allow extra time to reach their destination, but if they can stay home, that's certainly the best option.

More than 250 snowplow drivers will be plowing and salting interstates, state and U.S. routes, ramps and bridges in 17 counties across northeast Ohio.

Lauren Borell, Public Information Officer for ODOT District 11 says about 20 trucks will be covering Columbiana County's major roads.

Borell says crews initially had Christmas Day scheduled off but with the incoming storm, holiday pay and overtime pay are sure to be used.

Thursday is a scheduled workday for ODOT and Borell says overtime budgets in situations like this is planned for.

With a light winter in 2019 Borell says some money was left over for 2020 to compensate for this type of situation.

Crews will work around the clock in 12-hour shifts.

ODOT also says to remember, don't crowd the plow. Give them room to work.

With 272,000 tons of salt on hand in northeast Ohio, ODOT has plenty of salt to deal with the storm.

However, Plummeting temperatures will reduce the effectiveness of salt, forcing crews to mix in additives that are more effective at extremely low temperatures such as calcium chloride or beet heat.