Mother Nature must not have a Valentine.

A snowstorm poised to strike Boston late tonight could dump four to seven inches on lovebirds across town, leaving roads slick and icy just 24 hours before Valentine’s Day, meteorologists are saying.

Even with the travel risks, Boston University spokesman Colin Riley said students should not anticipate a delay or cancellation of classes for Wednesday.

“Students should anticipate classes as usual,” he said. “Any call depends on what transpires, and any call will be made early Wednesday morning.”

Riley added BU will notify students if snow delays any classes.

“If there is a delay, the decision will go out to the local media,” he said. “Students can also call 1-617-353-SNOW for information on a delay.”

Wednesday’s snow would end an unusual stretch of minimal winter snowfall in Boston. So far this season, Boston has only received 1.8 inches of snow, well below the seasonal average of about 30 inches by Feb. 12, measured by Weather.com.

Carl Erickson, a meteorologist at AccuWeather.com, said Boston could receive three to six inches of snow before flakes change to sleet and freezing rain by Wednesday afternoon.

National Weather Service meteorologist Haden Frank said snow developing late tonight around or just after midnight would carry over into Wednesday morning, making Wednesday’s morning rush potentially hazardous.

“Allow plenty of extra time on the roads, drive safely and don’t go driving unless you have to,” he said, to the chagrin of couples with Valentine’s Day plans.

Frank said the exact track of the storm would ultimately decide the amount of snow Boston receives. If the classic winter storm, known as a “nor’easter,” tracks closer to the shoreline, warm air off the ocean will likely change the snow to sleet and rain, he said. If the storm tracks further out to sea, more snow would fall due to the lack of warm maritime air.

Another factor that might affect the storm will be the high winds accompanying the snow and rain. Sustained winds at 20 to 25 miles per hour could gust to more than 35 miles per hour, Erickson said.

Areas outside the Route 128 ring around Boston could receive more snow and less sleet, Erickson said. Portions of western Massachusetts and Vermont could see up to two feet of snow from the storm, he added.