Better break out those shovels. A major snowstorm has arrived in Massachusetts tonight, the start of a storm system projected to leave Central and Western Massachusetts covered with a thick coating of snow that may be as deep as 18 inches in some areas.

The National Weather Service is reporting light snow falling n New Bedford, Worcester, Fitchburg, Orange, Springfield, Westfield, North Adams and Pittsfield while West Springfield had received about three inches by 10 p.m. tonight.