Latest Snow Totals At 12 Inches Just 48 Hours After Today's Near-Record Temps

BOSTON — It's hard to believe, even for our neck of the woods: Just 48 hours will separate what could be 70 degrees and one of the sloppiest winter storms of the season.

Wednesday's picturesque spring weather will be followed by a winter storm watch Friday as a system makes its way toward New England.

The difference in snowfall totals will be stark in different parts of the state, with the biggest variable being how cold temperatures stay as we get farther south.

Most of the state is looking at 8-12 inches, according to Wednesday morning's forecast by the National Weather Service. South of Boston can expect 6-8 inches, while the Cape may get 4-6 inches.

The local forecast at 7News is more favorable, with the northernmost third of the state getting 9-12 inches and the middle chunk, including Boston, getting 6-9 inches. Southeastern Mass. can expect 3-6 inches while the Cape is looking at 1-3 inches.

That could change depending on how high temperatures can get, particularly south of the Mass. Pike. Even if that much snow isn't realized, it will result in a wintry mix that will impact the Friday morning commute.

By then, Wednesday's potentially record-breaking temperatures will be a distant memory. Boston could reach 70 degrees, which would be higher than the 2017 mark of 68.

But then comes a jarring temperature drop, with a more than 40-degree drop to early Thursday early morning.