The National Weather Service in Taunton, MA has issued a blizzard warning from noon today through 6 p.m. Monday.

Parts of Providence and Kent County are forecasted to receive between 12 to 16 inches of snow and strong northern winds that could reach 25 to 35 miles per hour. The snow drifts and wind gusts will create extremely dangerous travel conditions, and visibility will fall to near zero during the height of the storm.

During the peak of the storm, widespread power outages are expected.

The storm began from intensifying low pressure off the North Carolina coast this morning and will strengthen into a major storm just off the coast of Nantucket, MA and Cape Cod on Monday morning.

Light snow will start early this afternoon and become heavy by nightfall. Throughout the night, heavy snow will fall with two to four inches per hour likely at times.

Those living in the warning area are advised to stay indoors.