Winter weather advisory issued for Massachusetts. See maps, timing

More snow is expected in Massachusetts this week than meteorologists originally predicted, according to the National Weather Service.

Several storm systems are slated to hit the Bay State, one after the next, through the weekend, the weather service said, bringing periods of snow and a possible wintry mix of rain and snow during the daytime hours.

A winter weather advisory was issued for parts of central and western Massachusetts ahead of the snowstorm on Wednesday, Feb. 18, as up to 4 inches of snow could fall that day. Throughout the state, people should expect “some travel impacts from accumulating snow,” according to the National Weather Service Norton forecaster’s discussion.

More snowfall is expected later in the week, especially in the northern parts of Massachusetts, NWS said.

“Confidence has increased for a period of impactful snow and mixed precipitation Friday night [Feb. 20] into Saturday [Feb. 21],” the forecaster’s discussion said. “Highest accumulations look to be along and north of the Mass Pike.”

Check out the expected snowfall totals and timing for Massachusetts.

When will it snow in MA this week?

In Massachusetts, there’s a chance of snow in the afternoon and evening on Wednesday, Feb. 18, NWS said. Rain, fog, and a combination of snow and rain could also hit different parts of the region. The weather service called it “very much a tricky forecast.”

The sun is then expected to shine through again on Thursday, Feb. 19, before the snow returns overnight.

A mix of rain and snow is expected on Friday, Feb. 20, with all snow falling closer to the evening, the weather service said.

There’s a chance of snow in the morning and early afternoon on Saturday, Feb. 21, and then later that night, according to NWS. Then, on Sunday, Feb. 22, there is a chance of scattered snow showers in the afternoon and evening.

Snow could fall again on Monday, Feb. 23, during what forecasters are calling a “potentially significant winter storm.”

“Right now, odds favor at least some impact to Connecticut, Rhode Island, and southeastern Massachusetts, if not more of the area, but keep in mind we are several days out and probably won’t see any notable trends in guidance until Thursday at the earliest,” the forecaster’s discussion said.

Winter weather advisory issued for parts of western and central MA

The National Weather Service issued a winter weather advisory for parts of western and central Massachusetts this week. It’ll take effect Wednesday, Feb. 18, at 1 p.m. and last until Thursday, Feb. 19, at 4 a.m.

In the following counties, total snow accumulations between 2 and 4 inches are expected, and roads will likely become slick and hazardous, NWS said:

• Franklin County – eastern and western
• Hampden County – eastern and western
• Hampshire County – eastern and western
• Middlesex County – northern
• Worcester County – northern and southern

Expected snowfall totals for Massachusetts

Here are the National Weather Service’s updated expected snowfall totals for cities and towns in Massachusetts this week, including high-end predictions (from Tuesday, Feb. 18, at 7 a.m., to Saturday, Feb. 21, at 7 a.m.):

• Amherst – 4 inches (High-end amount: 5 inches)
• Boston – 2 inches (High-end amount: 4 inches)
• Fitchburg – 7 inches (High-end amount: 8 inches)
• Gloucester – 2 inches (High-end amount: 3 inches)
• Greenfield – 5 inches (High-end amount: 7 inches)
• Hyannis – 1 inch (High-end amount: 1 inch)
• Lowell – 4 inches (High-end amount: 5 inches)
• Mansfield – 2 inches (High-end amount: 3 inches)
• Martha’s Vineyard – 0.5 inches (High-end amount: 1 inch)
• Nantucket – Trace amount of snow (High-end amount: 0.5 inches)
• New Bedford – 1 inch (High-end amount: 2 inches)
• Plymouth – 2 inches (High-end amount: 3 inches)
• Provincetown – 1 inch (High-end amount: 1 inch)
• Springfield – 2 inches (High-end amount: 4 inches)
• Taunton – 1 inch (High-end amount: 3 inches)
• Worcester – 4 inches (High-end amount: 5 inches)

Massachusetts radar