A winter storm was expected to sweep through Massachusetts on Wednesday, threatening to make for dangerous, hazardous conditions on one of the busiest travel days of the year.
By Wednesday night, however, forecasters said an approaching warm air mass could turn the anticipated snow on the coast to messy sleet.
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A winter storm warning was set for areas west of approximately Interstate 495, and a winter weather advisory was issued for those east of the interstate. The warning and advisory are set to take effect from 7 a.m. Wednesday to 7 a.m. Thursday, said Eleanor Vallier-Talbot, a meteorologist at the National Weather Service in Taunton.
Initial forecasts called for snow to the west and mainly rain along the coast, but new models show the storm track might move east, Vallier-Talbot said.
“There is a possibility that the storm could come a little bit closer to the coast,” she said.
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Most of the Cape is expected to avoid snow, Vallier-Talbot said.
“We might get a little bit of snow on the backside of the Cape as the storm pulls away, but a good portion of Southeast Mass. might not see much” snow, she said.
A wind advisory has been issued, beginning at 2 p.m. Wednesday and lasting through 3 a.m. Thursday, Vallier-Talbot said. Winds are expected to be sustained at 25 miles per hour to 35 miles per hour, with gusts of up to 50 miles per hour possible.
The winds could cause property damage and bring down trees and power lines.
RELATED: Mass. officials warn travelers as storm approaches
Forecasters said Tuesday that Boston will see snow by Wednesday evening, but if the warm air over the Cape that is keeping snow at bay moves farther west, there could be a period of sleet along the coast.
“Here in the [Interstate] 95 corridor, we’re basically in a battle zone between the cold air and the warm air,” said meteorologist William Babcock of the weather service.
“How that resolves itself will result in the weather we get tomorrow.
“We’re keeping a close watch on how the warm air is moving into southern New England.”
The storm is expected to start Wednesday morning as falling temperatures cause rain to gradually turn to snow and the rain-snow dividing line moves eastward, Vallier-Talbot said.
“I’d look for the rain when people get up and start driving Wednesday morning, turning to snow by late morning outside [Interstate] 495, by mid-afternoon between [Interstate] 495 and [Route] 128, and by the evening commute Wednesday in Boston,” meteorologist Alan Dunham of the weather service said.
The snow is expected to last overnight and possibly continue through part of Thursday morning.
The interior of the state could see 10 to 14 inches of snow Wednesday, while regions closer to the coast might see up to 4 inches.
Logan International Airport might only see about an inch, while areas farther west, like Brighton, could receive 2 to 4 inches.
Thanksgiving Day will be cloudy and cold, with temperatures in the mid-30s, while Black Friday is forecast to favor shoppers with mostly sunny skies and temperatures in the 30s.
With the first winter storm of the season poised to strike on one of the busiest travel days of the year, state officials were preparing for the 1 million Bay Staters who will be on the roads in hazardous, sloppy conditions.
The Massachusetts Emergency Management Agency has been discussing statewide preparations for the storm that is expected to affect travel by car, plane, and boat with the Department of Transportation and State Police, said Peter Judge, spokesman for MEMA, in a telephone interview.
“Although the specifics of the forecast are uncertain, there is strong potential for snow, with accompanying treacherous road conditions and poor visibility,” said Kurt Schwartz, director of MEMA, in a statement.
“At this point . . . it doesn’t seem to be a major storm. It’s really the travel that’s going to be a bugaboo with this event,” Judge said.
Travel got off to a rough start Tuesday when a tractor-trailer rollover caused a major backup on the Massachusetts Turnpike at about 2:30 p.m. between Charlton and Worcester, State Police said.
In anticipation of travelers taking to the road during the storm, MEMA issued tips for drivers that include traveling in daylight, maintaining at least a half-full gas tank, informing others of travel times and routes, and checking the car’s tires, antifreeze, battery, windshield wipers, and wiper fluid.
Officials also instructed motorists to drive slowly, yield to snowplows, and be extra alert.
Judge recommended those traveling by plane check ahead of time with the Massachusetts Port Authority or their airline to see if there have been delays or cancellations.
Kiera Blessing can be reached at kiera.blessing@globe.com. Rachel Riley can be reached at rachel.riley@globe.com. Kiera Blessing can be reached at kiera.blessing@globe.com. Rachel Riley can be reached at rachel.riley@globe.com.Open all references in tabs: [1 – 3]