The snow is here! Stay home if you can, the transportation department warns.

ST. LOUIS – The first snow of the season arrived right on time Saturday, with flakes already falling across the St. Louis region by mid-morning.

An earlier forecast of 1 to 2 inches was raised by the National Weather Service. Most people will see double that when the storm subsides around 9 p.m., said Lydia Jaja, a meteorologist in the Weldon Spring office.

But she had bad news for anyone hoping for some outdoor fun. The snow is pretty dry, Jaja said.

“It’s probably not a good snowball,” she said.

Drivers should stay home if possible, she said. The Missouri Department of Transportation treated roads Friday but warned drivers to be cautious, especially on bridges and overpasses.

“Due to the condition, slow down, fasten your seatbelt and avoid distractions” such as cell phones, the department said in a statement.

Freezing is expected again overnight Saturday as temperatures drop into the freezing range.

But the snow won’t last long. Temperatures are expected to return to normal for this time of year by midweek, reaching highs in the upper 40s by Wednesday.