A winter weather advisory is in effect in Massachusetts today as several inches of snow is expected to fall across the state, according to the National Weather Service's Boston office. Snow is already beginning in western Massachusetts as of 8 a.m. Thursday, and it will pick up in the eastern part of the state later this morning.

As the storm sneaks closer to Massachusetts, residents are advised to prepare for anywhere from 5 to 12 inches of snow over the weekend. Snowfall could start anywhere between 5 p.m. and 8 p.m. on Saturday for residents who live west of Springfield and Greenfield. The start time for the rest of the state could vary from 7 pm. to 10 p.m.

The snow will arrive Saturday between 10 p.m. and midnight. Once it arrives, it will hit the ground running. The majority of the snow accumulation will occur between midnight and 7 a.m. on Sunday. There will be some light snow and flurries between 7 a.m. and noon but very little additional accumulation.