Seattle is a city known for its rain, but on Wednesday its residents are bracing for what is forecast to be the worst snowstorm in 25 years.

The city is expected to get an entire year's worth of winter in only one day.
    
Snow has been falling since the weekend, accumulating enough to cause traffic problems.

The city is now on high alert for a full-scale disaster. Schools are closed, and the mayor is asking residents to stay off the roads.

"This does have potential to shut things down for even beyond one day, maybe even two days," said Paul Deanno, meteorologist for Seattle's KOKO4 television station.

"The No. 1 thing is to drive for the road conditions," Trooper Keith Leary warned. "People need to slow down, take their time. If they're not prepared, don't get out on the roadways."

Forecasters say the snow should turn to rain by late this evening or early Thursday morning.