Storm brings wintry mix to the Bay State

LEOMINSTER, Mass. (WHDH) -- A powerful winter storm system made its way east Wednesday, bringing a wintry mix of snow, sleet and rain to the Bay State.

The storm arrived Wednesday night and will continue throughout the day on Thursday.

The National Weather Service posted a winter storm watch for central and western Massachusetts, where some areas could get several inches of snow mixed with sleet and freezing rain.

The Massachusetts Department of Transportation sent more than 1,000 workers out to prepare the roads with salt. It has up to 4,000 pieces of equipment standing by.

“We know how to deploy our workforces so that we're ahead of the worst conditions,” said Frank DePaolo, Massachusetts Department of Transportation.

Two inches of snow had already fallen in Leominster at 11 p.m. Wednesday. Dozens of salt and sand trucks were loaded up ready to get on the road before the snow could stick.

Residents were stocked up on things they didn’t find under the tree on Christmas.

“Shovels, and spray, and everything we can get so we don’t have to fight the storm,” said Tee Cummings.

“They’re getting ready; they’re used to it. And they know what they need,” said Rob Tumminelli, Home Depot manager.

“This is going to be the first big storm we’ve had this year, so we want to get prepared,” said John Perry.

Crews will continue to treat the roads throughout the night.