CLEVELAND, Ohio — The first snowfall projections for this weekend’s sprawling winter storm are calling for 9 or more inches for much of Northeast Ohio, aligning with the winter storm watch in effect from Saturday evening through Monday afternoon.

The path of an approaching winter storm is not clear yet, but much of the country, including places unused to frigid weather, is bracing for the worst.

The weather forecast shows a major winter storm could hit Boston this weekend with heavy snow.

What to Know Preliminary forecasts show 8-16 inches of snow can be expected for much of the region, including New York City, the Hudson Valley, nearly all of New Jersey and into Connecticut. Areas along the coast may see slightly lower totals,

There’s little doubt Charlotte will be hit by a winter storm this weekend, and forecasters say it appears Mecklenburg County is likely to get more freezing rain than snow. That means dangerous roads, slippery sidewalks, falling tree limbs and power outages due to downed power lines.

Overnight, computer models were indicating the storm would drop more snow on the southeastern part of Southern New England.

A winter storm watch has been issued for most of Pennsylvania, including the Harrisburg region, from Saturday night through Monday afternoon. Significant snow accumulation is expected. Forecasts show the potential for widespread heavy snow, with some areas possibly receiving more than a foot.

Arctic air is expected to arrive Thursday night across Colorado and persist through the weekend, bringing freezing temperatures and snow, according to the National Weather Service.

The storm will be so extensive, its snow, sleet and freezing rain could stretch more than 1,500 miles from the Plains across the South and into the Northeast. Major travel disruption is a given across its entire footprint.