UPDATE: Weather Service Issues Warns of Tough Commute for Medford, Middlesex County

UPDATE (4 p.m., Wednesday, Feb. 29): The National Weather Service has issued a winter storm warning for all of Eastern Massachusetts effective until 6 p.m. Thursday.

As of 3:08 p.m., the service’s snow total graphics showed Somerville within a band of 4-6 inches of snow. Estimated snow totals have fluctuated over the last two days but steadily increased since this morning.

“Snow will fall heavily at times through the evening rush hour before becoming lighter. Snow may mix with sleet and freezing rain tonight before changing back to all snow overnight,” read the warning.  “Roads will primarily remain wet through the evening commute...although icy spots will begin to develop. More of an impact is expected for the Thursday morning commute due to the combination of snow and slippery roads.”

Winter storm warnings are issued when the service expects more than six inches of snow to fall during a storm. The service previously issued a winter weather advisory, which are released for smaller storms.

UPDATE (11 a.m., Wednesday, Feb. 29): The National Weather Service issued a Winter Weather Advisory at 10:24 a.m. Wednesday, warning wintry weather is on the way.

The region could receive 3 to 6 inches of snow with a light coating of ice, according to the advisory. It is expected to start falling about 3 p.m.

The advisory will remain in effect until 6 p.m. Thursday.

The snowfall is expected to be heavy starting around 3 p.m. through the evening commute, according to the weather service. It will become lighter overnight, possibly turning to sleet or freezing rain.

The weather service cautions of slippery roads and low visibility for the evening commute Wednesday, and possibly the morning commute Thursday.

Original report, published Feb. 28: Our snowless luck may have run out.

Medford could see 3-5 inches of snow starting Wednesday afternoon through Thursday afternoon, according to a winter storm watch issued this morning by the National Weather Service (NWS).

With fluctuating temperatures—a Wednesday high of 38 and Thursday high near 43—the snow should also mix in with sleet and freezing rain at times, the NWS said, although colder temperatures could linger longer than currently forecast, resulting in less sleet and freezing rain and more snow.

"Snow is currently expected to overspread southern New England Wednesday afternoon and transition to a wintry mix Wednesday evening," the NWS statement read. "The heaviest precipitation should occur from last Wednesday into Thursday morning."

The Wednesday evening commute could be slippery and drivers will wake up on Thursday to slick roads.

Winds could also gust up to 20 miles per hour as the storm system moves through the area.