The National Weather Service has issued a blizzard watch for eastern Massachusetts and Rhode Island in effect from Monday evening through late Tuesday night.

Heavy snow, strong winds and blizzard conditions – blowing and drifting snow – are potential hazards. Snowfall accumulations of 18 to 24 inches are possible.

The combination of heavy snow and 20 mph to 30 mph winds – with potential gusts up to 60 mph – could result in near whiteout conditions with near zero visibility.

The National Weather Service says travel across the entire region “may become impossible and life threatening,” adding: “This has the potential to be a historic storm.”

Temperatures are expected to stay in the lower 20s.

The blizzard watch now in effect Monday night through late Tuesday follows Saturday’s Nor’easter which dumped 6 to 8 inches of wet snow on Boston and surrounding communities.

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