NEW YORK — Winter is coming, but snow is coming a lot sooner. New York City will see the season's first snowfall amid unusually frigid temperatures this week, the National Weather Service says.

The first chance of snow will roll in late Thursday morning and loom into the evening, with flakes most likely to fall from 6 to 8 p.m., according to the weather service's forecast. The white stuff could be accompanied by sleet and plenty of rain on a day when the high temperature will near just 40 degrees, the forecast shows. That's about 14 degrees colder than normal.

The snow will come amid a rash of wet weather. Nearly an inch and a quarter of rain is expected to hit Central Park from Thursday afternoon to Friday evening, the forecast shows. That will follow the roughly 0.4 inches expected to fall on Tuesday, according to the weather service. Here's a closer look at what to expect from the weather this week as snow approaches, courtesy of the National Weather Service.

Tuesday

Rain, mainly before noon. Temperature falling to around 45 by 5pm. North wind 11 to 13 mph becoming northwest in the afternoon. Chance of precipitation is 100%. New precipitation amounts between a quarter and half of an inch possible. Tuesday Night

Mostly cloudy, with a low around 34. Wind chill values between 25 and 30. Northwest wind 14 to 16 mph.

Wednesday

Mostly sunny, with a high near 40. Wind chill values between 25 and 30. Northwest wind 14 to 16 mph.

Wednesday Night

Mostly clear, with a low around 29. Wind chill values between 20 and 25. North wind 6 to 11 mph.

Thursday

Rain, snow, and sleet likely, mainly after 5pm. Increasing clouds, with a high near 40. East wind 7 to 10 mph. Chance of precipitation is 60%. Little or no snow and sleet accumulation expected. Thursday Night

Rain, snow, and sleet, becoming all rain after 9pm. Temperature rising to around 41 by 5am. Breezy. Chance of precipitation is 80%. Little or no snow and sleet accumulation expected.