Winter is still a week away, but many in Mercer and surrounding counties may need snow shovels, blowers and winter apparel today.

That's because a winter storm advisory is in effect until 10 p.m. tonight, according to Brad Rehak, a meteorologist at the National Weather Service in Pittsburgh.

The storm was expected to move into the area overnight Saturday.

The service advised Mercer County 9-1-1 dispatchers to expect five to 10 inches of snow, a supervisor said Saturday evening.

The heaviest snowfall is expected to blanket the area by late afternoon.

The snow is a direct result of a storm system moving up the mid-Atlantic region combining with another system making its way up the Ohio River valley, Rehak said.

Rehak said temperatures will be in the lower 30s today, but a small warm-up will arrive as temperatures move into the 40s by Tuesday. Rehak said there is also a slight chance of sunshine on Tuesday.

However, there is a chance of more rain and snow later in the week.