By Kim Kalunian, WPRO News

A winter storm watch is in effect for Rhode Island and Southeastern Massachusetts from late Thursday night through Saturday afternoon. Winter storm watches are put into place for areas expected to get 6 or more inches of snowfall in a period of 12 hours or less. 

AccuWeather meterologist Elliot Abrams said Wendesday that Rhode Island could experience another major snow storm late this week, the 35th Anniversary of the Billzard of 78.

Abrams says the storm doesn't exist right now, but models show that an area of rain in the southern plains could merge with a weak low pressure system in northern plains causing what Abrams calls a "monster storm."

The forecast looks as though light snow will begin developing by Friday morning, with snowfall beginning to pick up on Friday afternoon into Friday evening. Abrams said the area could get 1 to 2 inches of snowfall an hour.

"If it's all snow it's the kind of storm that could actually give us two feet of snow along with lots of blowing and drifting, there could be blizzard conditions on Friday night," said Abrams.

But there's still the possibility that the storm will meet warmer air or be blown further offshore, two possibilities that would decrease accumulation.

Still Abrams expects roads to get messy and conditions to impact travel on Friday afternoon and night. 

Should the storm be as severe as predicted, it could dump one to two feet of snow on Rhode Island.

For detailed forecasts and up-to-the-minute closings and information, visit our Operation Snowball page.