By Michelle Williams | MassLive
Back-to-back storms are heading to Massachusetts in coming days, with a significant portion of the state likely to see more than a foot of snowfall by the end of the weekend.
The National Weather Service issued a winter storm watch early Thursday ahead of a major winter storm headed towards the state Saturday.
First, the region will be hit by a minor storm overnight Thursday into Friday.
The National Weather Service reports much of Central and Western Massachusetts will see one to two inches of snowfall by Friday afternoon, with pockets of communities in the Berkshires seeing three inches.
The Greater Boston area, Cape Cod and islands are likely to see under an inch.
A second, larger storm will hit Massachusetts the following day.
Several days out, exact snowfall totals remain uncertain, though a significant amount is expected.
Snow is expected to start on Saturday in the afternoon, hitting the western portion of the state first.
It will begin as heavy, wet snow, with as much as two inches of snow falling per hour.
For communities south of the Massachusetts Turnpike, precipitation is expected to transition to a mix of snow, freezing rain and sleet on Sunday.
By Sunday evening, much of Massachusetts will see more than a foot of snowfall.
Central and Western Massachusetts will see the most snow, with 18 to 24 inches like in much of the Berkshires, Northern Pioneer Valley and Central Massachusetts. Communities in the Northern Berkshires may see more than two feet of snow.
Further south, Springfield and Worcester are expected to see a foot to 18 inches of snowfall.
In Boston, 8 to 12 inches is expected.
Cape Cod and the islands will see the least amount of snow by Sunday night.
When snow transitions to freezing rain, there will be a risk of icing.
Between a quarter to a half-inch of ice is expected overnight Saturday into Sunday in Springfield, and up to a quarter-inch in Worcester and Boston.
Icing will be of concern again Sunday night when temperatures dip.
Power outages and tree damage are expected due to ice accumulations and the National Weather Service warns "travel could be nearly impossible at times" due to reduced visibilities from blowing snow.
Following the weekend storm, it will feel bitterly cold Sunday evening into Monday morning. Arctic air will blow into the region and may drop wind child temperatures to dangerous lows.
"Cold air pouring in from Canada will bring below-zero wind chills Sunday night and Monday," the National Weather Service said. "Any remaining untreated wet surfaces will freeze."
See more National Weather Service maps and graphics about the potentially major winter storm below.
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