The National Weather Service has issued a winter weather advisory throughout Massachusetts and into northern Connecticut as snow is expected to develop Tuesday afternoon bringing potentially hazardous travel conditions during the evening commuting hours.
The advisory will be in effect from noon until Wednesday at 4 a.m. and covers all of Hampshire, Franklin and Hampden counties.
A brief period of heavy snow is possible late this afternoon, especially along and south of the Mass Pike which will impact the evening commute, the weather service states.
The service predicts total daytime snow accumulation of 1 to 2 inches with temperatures in the upper 20s. Overall snow accumulation is expected to be 3 to 4 inches in the Pioneer Valley and as much as 4 to 6 inches along areas of the Mass Pike, according to the weather service.
The weather service advises motorists to be prepared for snow-covered roads and to use caution while driving.
Caitlin Ashworth can be reached at cashworth@gazettenet.com.