The National Weather Service is forecasting the first nor'easter of the season is headed this way Sunday afternoon and bringing with it 15-20 inches of snow, dangerous winds and blinding conditions for anyone out in the thick of it. Motorists and pedestrians are urged to stay indoors until the worst of the blizzard blows out of the region Monday afternoon.

The National Weather Service station in Taunton issued a blizzard warning at 4:51 p.m. on Saturday, ratcheting up an earlier hazardous weather alert for southern New England, including Essex County. The latest alert is in effect from noon on Sunday through 6 p.m. on Monday, as meteorologists predict the storm will intensify Monday morning with blizzard conditions in eastern Massachusetts and Rhode Island.

"Extremely dangerous travel conditions will develop by Sunday evening. Strong winds will combine with the snow to create blinding conditions with near-zero visibility at times Sunday night," NWS is forecasting. "Visibilities will become poor with whiteout conditions at times. Those venturing outdoors may become lost or disoriented. So persons in the warning area are advised to stay indoors."

Widespread power outages are also expected during the height of the storm Sunday night from both strong winds knocking down power lines and the weight of the heavy snow. People with heart conditions are discouraged from shoveling. Wind gusts could hit 50 to 60 mph.

Light snowfall may start early in the afternoon on Sunday, accumulating up to four inches, with heavy snow predicted to fall through the night at two to four inches per hour, as winds pick up to 35-38 mph and dump a total of 10-16 inches.

The NWS says the snow will taper to flurries early Monday afternoon as the storm blows out of the region, but strong winds will last through the day, especially along the coast. A low of 12 degrees is predicted for Monday night.