More than 6 inches of snow is possible across Massachusetts this weekend, according to the National Weather Service’s Boston office.

Schools in Massachusetts started announcing closures on Wednesday ahead of a winter storm that’s expected to bring a messy mix of snow, ice, and rain to the region on Thursday.

A winter weather advisory is in effect in Massachusetts today as several inches of snow is expected to fall across the state, according to the National Weather Service's Boston office. Snow is already beginning in western Massachusetts as of 8 a.m. Thursday, and it will pick up in the eastern part of the state later this morning.

Meteorologists are forecasting a series of snow storms, including 2 to 3 inches of snow in the Boston-area on Thursday before a chance for more than 6 inches this weekend.

BOSTON - Now that Thursday's snow is over, there's an excellent chance of plowable snow falling this weekend in Boston and most of Massachusetts. It could be the biggest snow storm of the season so far.

The National Weather Service has issued a winter weather advisory for Thursday in Massachusetts. See how much snow is expected

The first in a parade of winter storms is headed to New England this Thursday. Snow will kick in around 8 a.m., with coverage and intensity increasing through noon — leading to the heaviest snowfall and the most widespread travel slowdowns mid-morning.

As the storm approaches, conditions will be cold enough initially for snow, but it will pull in some mild air that is expected to change the precipitation to rain for some.

Snow is expected to stop in Worcester and the western part of the state before 9 a.m., gradually moving out of eastern Massachusetts by noon. Essex, Suffolk and Middlesex counties in the northeast part of the state may see snow showers through 5 p.m. on Sunday.