UPDATED: Winter Storm Watch in Effect for Watertown Area

[Updated at 6:30 p.m.]

The National Weather Service has issued a Winter Storm Watch for Middlesex County and the Watertown area as a batch of rain and snow moves its way into southern New England tonight. 

After some rain Wednesday, the storm is expected to hit later tonight and last through Thursday into Friday. 

WHDH forecasters are predicting the Boston area to get mostly rain, with a rain/snow mix just west of the city.

According to snow total maps from this morning, some areas just west of Boston could get 3-6 inches of snow, depending on where the rain/snow line falls.

Forecasters emphasized that this is not a blizzard, rather a prolonged storm that will last over the next day and a half. 

According to WHDH meterologist Jeremy Reiner's blog, snow will begin accumulating Thursday afternoon. Snow will accumulate overnight, and tapers into flurries by late Friday morning, according to Reiner. 

The National Weather Service says winds will be between 15 and 25 mph, with gusts up to 35 mph. Temperatures will remain in the lower 30s during the storm.

While temperatures may not reach freezing Wednesday night, roads could get slick Thursday into Friday, the National Weather Service says. 

The good news? The WHDH weather team says the storm will give way to a sunny weekend, with temperatures in the 50s.