White-out conditions are expected to accompany Thursday's snowstorm, prompting Worcester to call off school for the day.
State offices will also be closed, and Gov. Charlie Baker is urging businesses to allow employees to work from home.
"Please help one another to the best of your abilities," the governor said during a news conference Wednesday afternoon as the National Weather Service forecast that Eastern Massachusetts and Rhode Island will face near blizzard conditions, with heavy snow and damaging wind gusts Thursday into Thursday evening.
State Transportation Secretary Stephanie Pollack said public transportation will be affected by the weather and the commuter rail will have a reduced service schedule. She urged those who must head to work to use public transportation and encouraged drivers to stay a safe distance behind snowplows, which will be working to keep the roads open.
The weather service said power outages are to be expected.
The amount of snow in the forecast for Worcester has been increased to 10 to 16 inches.
A winter storm warning goes into effect at 1 a.m. The storm is already underway in the Southeast, and is working its way north up the coast.
Snow is expected to begin about 5 a.m.; it will be very heavy at times. The wind-whipped snow will make for difficult driving.
"The predictions this morning are a lot more aggressive than they were yesterday," the governor said Wednesday.
A roadside parking ban has been declared in Worcester and Fitchburg from Wednesday night to Friday morning.
Temperatures will take a break from single digits Thursday, with the high expected to reach the mid-20s. However, wind chill values Thursday night could hit 12 below zero.
And bitter cold will return Friday, when the temperature is expected to cap out at 9 degrees Friday and 4 degrees Saturday. Friday night's low is expected to be 5 below zero, and Saturday night's 10 below.
Sunday the temperature could hit 15 above.
CENTRAL MASS. WEATHER FORECAST
SCHOOL CLOSINGS
@TweetWorcester #homeless line up at St. John’s Church, waiting for overnight cots and meals @telegramdotcom pic.twitter.com/IAILTv4nxP
— Steve Lanava (@SteveLanava) January 3, 2018