Clouds will overspread the region quickly Monday night as a storm develops off the North Carolina coast. This storm will rapidly intensify south of New England during the day, and pass just over Cape Cod Tuesday evening.

Snow will begin between 6 and 8 a.m. Tuesday and become heavy at times. Northeast winds will increase with gusts to 50 mph, especially at the coast. There will be considerable blowing and drifting snow with visibility dropping below a quarter mile.

Most areas will have significant accumulation, ranging from 1 to 2 feet over much of southern New England. Lesser amounts along the southeastern shore and the Cape and Islands, where precipitation is expected to mix with or change to sleet and rain for a while Tuesday afternoon.

Forecast snow totals for Tuesday as of Monday afternoon (David Goldbaum)

The storm will depart later Tuesday night leaving windy conditions and temperatures below normal for the remainder of the week.

Meteorologist Dave Goldbaum is in for WBUR's David Epstein.

Monday night: Becoming cloudy. Lows 18-22.

Tuesday: Snow starting early, heavy at times. Very Windy. High of 33. Rain and sleet may mix in between 3 and 8 p.m.

Tuesday night: Precipitation ending by midnight. Total accumulation 12-16 inches in the Boston area, up to 2 feet north and west. Lows 18-22.

Wednesday: Partly cloudy, breezy. High of 34.

Thursday: Mostly Sunny. High of 34.