The first of this week’s back-to-back-to-back winter storms is dumping snow, ice and rain over a 1,500 mile stretch of the eastern US Tuesday. The second winter storm will hit some of the same areas in quick succession and dump the most substantial snow of the season over Chicago.

The incoming winter storm prompted some schools to close or dismiss early on Tuesday. It's also likely that many schools will close Wednesday in the storm's wake. About 3 to 6 inches of snow is forecast in the Beltway area by Wednesday morning, with even higher totals possible to the south.