MA Weather: Four Counties Under Winter Storm Watch Advisory

Bay Staters are gearing up for the first heavy snowfall of the winter, with up to a foot possible in parts of the state. The National Weather Service announced that four counties in Massachusetts are under a Winter Storm Watch advisory.

The affected counties are:

• Eastern Essex
• Norfolk
• Suffolk
• Southeast Middlesex

The advisory is in effect from Sunday through Tuesday morning. Total snow accumulations could . be anywhere between 3 to 12 inches. Winds could gust as high as 40 mph.

The National Weather Service warned commuters that travel on Sunday and Monday could be dangerous.

Airlines are heeding the warning and taking preventative measures for passengers who may be affected by delays, waiving change fees for the flights in the storm's path. As of Saturday morning, flights to and from cities in the midwest at Logan airport were delayed. Airlines like Delta already released weather waivers for flights in the upper midwest and northeast.

Delta passengers traveling to or from Boston, Providence, RI and Manchester NH between Dec. 1 or 2 have to reissue their ticket before Dec. 5 to take advantage of the waiver.

American Airlines is also waiving fees for several affected airports including Boston and Providence, RI.

This travel season is slated to set the record for the busiest travel day of the year. According to CNBC, airlines could carry a record 31.6 million travelers during the 12 days around Thanksgiving, a nearly 4% increase from last year.

Patch will stay on the storm with updates on travel and how schools and morning commutes might be affected. Subscribe to your local Patch to be the first find out.