Areas of Vermont could see a few inches of snow when a winter storm moves in Wednesday night into Thursday.

Most of Vermont is under a winter weather advisory as a widespread storm is expected to move into Vermont tonight. National Weather Service Meteorologist Robert Haynes noted that the exceptions were for St. Lawrence and the Champlain Valley.

The snow is expected to start this afternoon, and could impact the evening commute today and both the morning and evening commute on Thursday.

“The snow will persist through early Friday, with a few to several inches of snow accumulation expected. Winds will become gusty as well, likely producing areas of blowing and drifting snow. Unseasonably cold weather will follow for the first half of the weekend before moderating early next week,” the National Weather Service’s forecaster discussion said.

Here’s what to know about the looming winter storm.

How much snow if Vermont expected to get?

After “multiple rounds of snow” from Wednesday into Thursday, most of Vermont will see between 2-6 inches of snow, Haynes said.

“The higher elevations could see between 4-7 inches,” Haynes said, adding the summits on Vermont’s mountains could see 8-12 inches.

“The skiers will be happy,” Haynes said.

Burlington is expected to recieve about 2.7 inches of snow.

How cold will it be over the next couple of days?

During tomorrow’s storms, temperatures in the Green Mountain State will be in the 20s and 30s, but frigid temperatures will move in to the state on Friday.

“Apparent temperatures are anticipated to fall as low as 0-10 degrees (F) during the coldest part of (Thursday) night, potentially as low as -15 to -20 degrees on summits,” according to the National Weather Service.

The passage added that wind gusts on Friday could be “15-30 knots and high temperatures (will struggle) to hit the upper teens to mid 20s. At their warmest, apparent temperatures will be in the single digits to mid-teens.”

“The coldest night will be Friday into Saturday,” Haynes said.

Vermont basketball can point to key injuries as an easy reason for its lackluster performances in the nonconference season.

Longtime coach John Becker didn’t go that route after the Catamounts’ underwhelming, 60-53 defeat to Brown on Tuesday night in front of 2,111 at Patrick Gym.

The loss was Vermont’s first at home in 15 games, and just the third on Tom Brennan Court over the last four seasons (48-3).

“It’s another game we struggled to score the ball, struggled to rebound, struggled to take care of the ball. Credit to Brown, they played really hard, pressed us the whole game, got on the glass late when they needed to and had the best player on the court,” the 14th-year Catamount bench boss said. “Our injuries really aren’t an excuse because (Brown is) injured just as much as we are.

“We have to be better and that’s on me. Right now, it’s really difficult for us.”

Kino Lilly, Jr., whom Becker referenced as Tuesday night’s best player, drained four 3s and totaled a game-high 23 points, while Landon Lewis racked up a double-double of 19 points and 10 rebounds to power the Brown Bears (5-3).

Freshman guard Sean Blake scored a career-high 13 points and Shamir Bogues added 11 points and three steals for the Catamounts (5-5), who were without injured starters Nick Fiorillo and TJ Long for a third straight game. Transfer forward Shy Odom (concussion) also missed his second straight contest.

Fiorillo and Long are week to week with their injuries, according to a UVM athletic spokesperson.

The Catamounts made only 5 of 21 3-point attempts and shot 37.9% overall from the floor for the game. Their percentage worsened in the second half at just a 33.3% clip. And the Catamounts’ starting guards went 7 of 30 from field.

“The numbers are atrocious for us offensively. We are struggling to find consistency,” Becker said.

Ahead 31-28 at the break, Brown built a 12-point lead at 47-35 at the 15-minute mark of the second half. The Catamounts closed to within 53-50 on Ileri Ayo-Fale’s 3-pointer with 4:31 to play. Then Lilly responded with a driving layup, a step-back 3-point splash and a pair of foul shots to seal Brown’s road victory.

Redshirt freshman forward Noah Barnett (eight points on 4 of 5 shooting, six rebounds, two assists) was a bright spot, but scored all of his points in game’s first 5:08. The explosive Blake had flashes with strong takes to the rim, finishing 6 of 12 on his field-goal attempts.

Vermont’s inability to play out of the post, the graduation losses of Aaron Deloney and Matt Veretto and, yes, even the injuries have the America East Conference favorites searching to play cohesively on the offensive end.

“We’ve had these stretches early in the year when it looks discombobulated and we figure something out. But I think it’s really difficult when you can’t throw it into the post and play out of the post consistently,” Becker said.

“We have to continue to try and figure it out … but I don’t know what the answer is right now.”

Contact Alex Abrami at aabrami@freepressmedia.com. Follow him on X, formerly known as Twitter: @aabrami5.

Former Vermont House Minority Leader Rep. Don Turner, Jr. — known fondly as “Mr. Milton” for his dedication to his hometown — died on Saturday after a “short but courageous battle” with glioblastoma, an aggressive form of brain cancer. He was 60 years old.

Turner, who represented Chittenden County in the House for 13 years as a Republican, died “peacefully, surrounded by family” at the McClure Miller Respite House in Colchester, according to his obituary.

In a press release, Gov. Phil Scott (R-Vermont) described Turner as “respected and liked by most everyone he met and worked with,” adding that “he treated all with dignity, respect and kindness” regardless if they “agreed with him or not.”

Turner served in the House from 2006 to 2019, spending the last eight as minority leader. He notably served on committees such as Human Services, Institutions and Corrections, General, Housing and Military Affairs, Commerce and Economic Development and Education. In 2018, Turner chose to forego re-election to run for lieutenant governor against Progressive-Democrat incumbent David Zuckerman. He secured the Republican nomination but was defeated handily by Zuckerman in the general election.

Turner is one of several former lawmakers who passed away this year, including Sens. Dick Mazza (D-Grand Isle) and Dick Sears Jr. (D-Bennington) and Rep. Curt McCormack, who represented Rutland and Burlington at different times.

‘Profound impact’ on hometown: Turner’s life outside the Statehouse

Turner was born to Donald H. Turner Sr. and Nancy Turner on July 19, 1964 in Burlington. Milton, however, is where the junior Turner eventually put down his roots.

Turner earned the nickname “Mr. Milton” from his years of community service and involvement in state and local governance. Most recently, he served as Milton’s town manager, a position he held from 2017 until his death. He also previously served on the city’s Board of Civil Authority as a Justice of the Peace and on the supervisory board of the Vermont Federal Credit Union.

“Few have had such a profound impact on their hometowns as Don has in Milton,” Scott said. “He touched and improved so many lives, and as a result his legacy will live on.”

Turner also had a penchant for public safety. At age 16, he joined the Milton Fire Department, where he eventually served as chief for 14 years. He also served as a fire instructor, a forest fire warden and a member of the International Association of Fire Chiefs and Milton Firefighters Association.

Beyond his numerous public service roles, Turner was known for “his unwavering love, kindness and commitment to those around him,” according to his obituary, which also painted him as a “devoted family man.”

“He cherished instilling in his children the values he learned from his own upbringing in a close-knit family, prioritizing weekly family time, vacations and holiday events,” Turner’s obituary said. “He particularly enjoyed playing and bonding with his grandchildren.”

Turner is survived by his wife, Gail, of 40 years; three daughters, Emily Turner-Frye, Hillary Joyal and Erin Turner; three grandchildren; his parents; two siblings; six nieces and nephews; and a large extended family.

Turner was predeceased by a sister, his parents-in-law, an aunt and his grandparents.

Per Scott’s request, U.S and Vermont flags will fly at half-staff on Friday, Dec. 6 in honor of Turner’s memory.

When is his celebration of life?

Turner’s Celebration of Life is slated for 2 p.m. on Saturday, Dec. 7 at the Donald H. Turner Jr. Public Works Building — the impressive structure he helped bring to fruition — in Milton.

Consider donating to the McClure Miller Respite Home in his honor instead of bringing flowers. You can also order a memorial tree online in memory of Turner.

Megan Stewart is a government accountability reporter for the Burlington Free Press. Contact her at mstewartyounger@gannett.com.