UPDATED: Blizzard Watch Issued for Acton

UPDATED: 4 P.M.

The Blizzard of '78 was 35 years ago. The Blizzard of '13 may be two days away.

The National Weather Service has issued a blizzard watch for Acton and surrounding areas from Friday night through Saturday morning.

According to the watch, "The worst of the storm will be Friday night into Saturday morning," with snowfall rates of 2 to 3 inches per hour possible. "Travel may become nearly impossible with blowing and drifting snow."

Several news outlets can agree that a minimum accumulation of 18 inches is headed this way, but the maximum accumulation numbers vary.

Here's the deal:

- WCVB is predicting 25.3 inches of snow in Boston by 11 a.m. Saturday.

- WHDH is calling for 15-20 inches of snow throughout the area that includes Wayland. Thunder and lightning is also possible, which could increase the maximum total to 30 inches, Pete Bouchard said during his 4 p.m. forecast.

- The NWS is predicting 18-24 inches for the entire area.

Below is the original story.

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The bare ground you see today may be gone for quite some time by lunchtime Saturday.

The National Weather Service has issued a winter storm watch for a good swath of Massachusetts, including Acton.

According to Weather.com, the storm has been named Winter Storm Nemo. It is the 14th named winter storm this season.

Snow is expected to start Friday morning and become heavy into the afternoon and last until noon Saturday. When it's over, residents can expect more than a foot of snow.

But according to WHDH meteorologist Jeremy Reiner, up to 20 inches is possible.

In his blog, Reiner says:

Here's what we know about this Friday-Saturday storm:

• A drawn out storm — beginning as light snow by 8am Friday then becoming steadier & heavier by Friday afternoon and into Friday night. Snow won't taper off until 9-11am Saturday!
• A plowable snow is likely Friday-Saturday.
• Poor travel is expected (ground and air) is expected across southern New England Friday afternoon through early Saturday morning.
• Minor-moderate coastal flooding is likely Friday PM / Saturday AM.

The National Weather Service predicts snow may fall at 2 to 3 inches per hour.

A winter storm watch is issued when there is the potential of 6 or more inches of snow in a 12-hour period, or 8 or more inches in a 24-hour period.

Residents with travel plans in the next 24 to 26 hours should monitor later forecasts and be prepared to modify them if this storm develops.