A winter storm was sweeping across a large portion of the US on Thursday, bringing snow, ice and rain to several states in the Midwest and Northeast.

Forecasters warn that a storm stemming from the Midwest could bring between 6 to 9 inches of snow Saturday night to Massachusetts.

Snow is already beginning in western Massachusetts as of 8 a.m. Thursday, and it will pick up in the eastern part of the state later this morning. The system is expected to turn into freezing rain this afternoon before tapering off in the evening hours,

A winter storm moved into New England on Thursday afternoon after delivering a messy combination of heavy snow, sleet and freezing rain in the Midwest and Northeast.

Snow, rain and icy conditions will spread across the Midwest and Northeast thanks to a storm that drenched northern California.

Snow will fall from Minnesota to Maine, with heavy amounts probably falling from Wisconsin to Massachusetts. Freezing rain and sleet will also be a big issue, especially south of Interstate 80 from Ohio through New Jersey.