Major winter storm to dump up to 20 inches of snow on Massachusetts

A major winter storm will hit Massachusetts with intense, heavy snowfall starting on Sunday morning that could bring up to 20 inches to Boston and other parts of the state.

Meteorologists say it could be the biggest storm to hit the state in four years.

Snowfall rates are expected to be 1 to 2-plus inches per hour beginning in the afternoon and continuing through the evening, according to the National Weather Service.

Winter Storm Warnings are in effect for the entire state, with dangerous travel conditions expected as snowfall accumulations will reach 12 to 20 inches of snow across most of the state.

When will the storm start?

Forecasters expect the storm to arrive in western Massachusetts between 9 a.m. and 11 a.m., and reach eastern areas of the state between 11 a.m. and 1 p.m.

Snow will quickly become heavy shortly after onset, with intense snowfall rates that will create dangerous travel conditions throughout the afternoon and evening.

How much snow will fall?

Most of the state can expect 12 to 18 inches of snow total, with the northeastern part of the state, including Boston, seeing up to 18 to 20 inches.

Cape Cod, the Islands, and the immediate southern coast will see slightly lower totals of 8 to 12 inches.

How long will the storm last?

The heaviest snow is expected to last between 3 p.m. and 1 a.m., according to the National Weather Service.

As the storm continues into Sunday evening, warm air could mix sleet with snow and create a wetter, heavier snow accumulation. Whiteout conditions could be possible, especially as gusty winds develop at night. National Weather Service forecasters give the storm a 20% to 30% chance of blizzard conditions, with "low confidence" in whiteout conditions over the course of more than three hours and winds of 35 mph or more.

By early Monday morning, snowfall rates will dramatically decrease, but snow flurries could still linger across northeastern coastal areas, including Boston, into Monday afternoon as northeasterly winds persist.

Subfreezing temperatures to follow storm

More below-average cold will follow the major snow storm this week.

Massachusetts will see an arctic airmass settle over the region and high temperatures will only reach the teens and 20s with overnight lows dropping into the single digits.

Forecasters predict mostly dry weather after the storm passes, with a few possible snow flurries during the week.

Local forecasts for Sunday:

• Boston MA: High 31°, Low 21°, Snow, mainly after noon. The snow could be heavy at times.

• Hyannis MA: High 32°, Low 25°, Snow, mainly after noon. The snow could be heavy at times.

• Pittsfield MA: High 12°, Low 12°, Snow, mainly after 11am. The snow could be heavy at times.

• Springfield MA: High 24°, Low 15°, Snow, mainly after 11am. The snow could be heavy at times.

• Worcester MA: High 25°, Low 14°, Snow, mainly after 10am. The snow could be heavy at times.

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