The Austin area is under a winter storm watch as it braces for heavy periods of snowfall Friday afternoon and evening, according to the National Weather Service.

The NWS forecast is calling for 3 inches of snowfall during the day Friday, with another 3 inches following between 6 a.m. and midnight.

Snow Friday will likely start in the morning, but will not lead to significant snowfall until around noon, said NWS Weather Service Specialist Ross Carlyon.

“It’s going to be a fairly fast, heavy burst of snow, starting Friday afternoon and continuing through the evening and overnight,” Carlyon said.

Between midnight and 6 a.m. Saturday, Carlyon said only one inch of snow is expected.

Though the snow is expected to fall fast, Carlyon said the wind needed to create blizzard-like conditions will not be present. During the day Friday, winds will be between 3 and 10 mph. By Friday evening, an east wind will pick up to between 7 and 10 mph.

Friday’s storm will be accompanied with temperatures of 20 degrees Friday night.

The storm is expected to taper off Saturday, though temperatures are likely to drop to 8 degrees, according to the NWS.