Though the calendar says March, this area could be getting its most significant winter activity of the season later today and early Monday.

A winter storm watch was issued Saturday by the National Weather Service for Surry, Stokes, Yadkin and Wilkes counties in North Carolina and Patrick County, Va. The watch status indicates there is a potential for significant accumulations that could impact travel.

As the forecast stood at press time Saturday, a series of weather disturbances was to move through the area, including light mixed precipitation expected in portions of the Mid-Atlantic region overnight Saturday.

However, a second and stronger system was predicted to bring a more widespread threat of snow late this afternoon and into Monday morning, based on that forecast.

This possibility was prompting a local street-maintenance official to be on the lookout for potential accumulations.

“I think we might get enough to put out some salt,” Jeff Boyles, public services director for the city of Mount Airy, said Saturday night after monitoring the weather patterns at that time. Boyles said the storm system appeared to be spread out, which might prevent significant problems.

“That’s what I’m hoping,” he added.

If not, city maintenance crews will be prepared. “We always have guys on call,” Boyles said. “We have our salt and sand trucks ready to roll.”

Snow is expected to redevelop over this region late this afternoon and continue into the night, the National Weather Service reported Saturday night. Snowfall accumulations of 3 to 5 inches were said to be possible before the precipitation threat ends Monday morning.

“I think we’re ready,” Boyles said of city crews. He says they always are prepared at this time of year because of its weather uncertainties.

But any major snowfall might not be likely for this area based on recent history. It has been several years since there was enough of a snowfall to require streets to be scraped. “The last one I remember was in 2004,” Boyles said.

No one with the State Highway Maintenance Office, which deals with road conditions in areas across Surry County, could be reached for comment Saturday night.

Contact Tom Joyce at tjoyce@mtairynews.com or at 719-1924.