BOSTON (WHDH) - A winter storm warning has been issued for most of the Bay State ahead of a major storm that could dump at least a foot of snow in many towns and cities.

The warning goes into effect at 7 p.m. Wednesday and will last through 1 p.m. Thursday for all of Massachusetts, excluding Cape Cod and the Islands, which is under a winter weather advisory during the same time period.

Cold air took hold of New England early Wednesday, setting the stage for heavy snow as moisture from the south moves north.

Flakes will begin falling Wednesday evening and snowfall is expected to intensify between midnight to about 3 a.m. Thursday, according to 7NEWS Meteorologist Josh Wurster.

Snowfall will continue through early Thursday afternoon, dropping between eight to 12 inches across most of the state, including Boston.

“We are anticipating widespread, significant snow,” 7NEWS Chief Meteorologist said.

Wurster added, “Many of us are in line for a foot or more.”

Parts of Worcester, Norfolk, and Middlesex counties could get up to 15 inches, along with Pittsfield and other areas in northwestern Massachusetts.

Cape Cod is projected to get anywhere between two and eight inches of snow, while part of the South Coast may see four to eight inches.

Martha’s Vineyard is expected to get two to four inches, with Nantucket getting one to two inches.

There will be a potential for a flash freeze in communities across eastern Massachusetts on Thursday night, creating slick driving conditions on roads that have been treated with salt.

Southeastern Mass is expected to get the heavy wet snow while most other places will see the light and fluffy stuff.

Along with the impact of snow, the eastern coastline, Cape Cod ,and the Islands may be dealing with coastal flooding.

A coastal flooding advisory has been issued for the area from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Thursday.

Wind gusts could also reach up to 50 mph on Cape Cod and the Islands, with gusts projected to get up to 40 mph in South Shore and part of North Shore.

For more information, click here to visit the 7Weather page.

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