The National Weather Service issued a blizzard warning Sunday morning for five Massachusetts counties, with severe winter weather expected to bring between 12 and 22 inches of snow and wind gusts up to 55 mph. The warning covers Worcester, Middlesex, Essex, Hampden, and Hampshire counties from 4 p.m. Sunday until 7 a.m. Tuesday.

On Sunday at 11:16 a.m. the National Weather Service released a blizzard warning valid from 4 p.m. until Tuesday 7 a.m. for Worcester, Middlesex, Essex, Hampden and Hampshire counties.

Up to two feet of snow is possible in some Massachusetts communities.

Blizzards can create life-threatening "whiteout" conditions in addition to the cold temperatures and strong winds.

At 12:29 p.m. on Saturday, the National Weather Service issued a blizzard warning valid from Sunday 4 p.m. until Tuesday 7 a.m. for Essex, Norfolk, Middlesex, Suffolk, Bristol, Plymouth, Barnstable and Dukes counties.

After a week of uncertain forecasts, Cape Cod is under a blizzard warning, part of a "significant" nor'easter expected to hit Massachusetts Sunday, all day Monday, and into Tuesday. The blizzard warning begins at 4 p.m. Sunday for all 15 Cape Cod towns and Martha's Vineyard, and it remains in effect until 7 a.m. Tuesday.

A powerful nor'easter that could bring 2 feet of snow triggered a blizzard warning and prompted the governor to declare a state of emergency.

Up to two feet of heavy snow are expected to hit the area, and a blizzard warning has been extended to Boston, North Shore, Southeastern Massachusetts, and Rhode Island, as well as southern Connecticut,