PROVIDENCE, R.I. -- The National Weather Service has issued a winter storm watch for a storm that cold bring 4 to 8 inches of snow late Wednesday night through late Thursday night.

"Plan on difficult travel conditions," the Weather Service says. "Significant reductions in visibility are possible as well as blowing and drifting snowfall."

The storm watch is in effect from late Wednesday through late Thursday night. It covers all of Rhode Island and Eastern Massachusetts, except for Cape Cod and the islands, which could get a mixture of rain.

Forecasters are still trying to determine the exact track of the storm.

"A significant coastal storm will likely bring accumulating snow late Wednesday night into Thursday night," the Weather Service says in its forecast discussion. "How much snow will fall is dependent on how close the system tracks to New England."

According to the Weather Service, "A winter storm watch means there's the potential for significant snow, sleet or ice accumulations that may impact travel," the Weather Service says.

Meanwhile, "Bitter cold weather will continue into Tuesday with some moderation Wednesday into Thursday."

The temperature was 8 degrees shortly before 7 a.m. Tuesday in Providence and will warm to just 18 degrees despite sunny skies, according to the Weather Service.

The high should reach 28 Wednesday under sunny skies.

The snow should start early Thursday, most likely after 3 a.m. Along with snow, expect a northeast wind gusting up to 36 mph in Providence. The high temperature should reach 28.

Snow is likely to continue into the evening, and the temperature will plummet again with a low of 9 degrees expected overnight.

For more weather and updates, see providencejournal.com/weather.