Weather forecasters and emergency planners are warning Tuesday morning commuters to stay home if possible or at least delay their drives until daylight because of a big snowstorm expected to hit after midnight. Forecasts are calling for 3 to 6 inches in the Everett area.

That would be the biggest storm since two back-to-back events just after Christmas in 1996 dumped as much as 12 inches in a few days. Quickly warming temperatures turned that snow into white rooftop sponges, and the weight collapsed many flat-roofed buildings, sheds and boathouses. Flooding followed in many lowland areas.

Forecasters fear that the bulk of Tuesday’s storm could hit during the morning commute. Temperatures are expected to rise by late in the day, turning the snow to rain. The weather forecast for Tuesday night and Wednesday calls for lows in the low 30s and highs Wednesday in the upper 40s. Rain or showers are forecast into the weekend.