Update: Blizzard Expected to Bring 14 Inches, Parking Ban in Effect

A large winter storm is heading to the region this afternoon and the National Weather Service is expecting between 12 and 16 inches for areas around Middlesex and Essex County. Many events and businesses will be closed part or all of Monday due to the blizzard.

A map of the storm shows Andover receiving roughly 14.3 inches over the course of the large storm.

The Andover Police have declared a snow emergency for tonight and residents and motorists are restricted from parking on the street between 1 a.m. and 6 a.m. tomorrow morning.

The National Weather Service's site in Taunton released hazardous storm alerts and claims that southern New England will be receiving a "dangerous winter storm."

The snow is expected to start light but then eventually become heavy during the night, accumulating between two and four inches per hour.

Widespread power outages are expected and the accumulation combined with the wind, estimated at 25 to 35 miles per hour, will create a near zero visibility.

A blizzard warning will stay from noon today until 6 p.m. tomorrow and the National Weather Service recommend that people not leave their house if it is not necessary.

Several Andover sports teams will not be playing tomorrow due to the expected snowfall. They Andover Athletics Department cancellations and postponements can be found on their scheduling website.

until noon. Child care services will not be offered all day Monday.

Keep checking with AndoverPatch to find out the latest on the storm and cancellations.