WESTPORT — The region no longer faces a “Winter Storm Watch” later today and tomorrow — instead, things are looking worse.

That earlier forecast was upgraded early Friday to a “Winter Storm Warning” for Westport and southwestern Connecticut by the National Weather Service.

That “warning” indicates a severe winter storm — threatening “near-blizzard conditions” — is likely to strike the region late Friday or early Saturday, and continue sweeping across the region until Saturday night, according to the weather service.

The storm warning will take effect at 7 p.m. Friday and remain in effect through 7 p.m. Saturday, the NWS said in an early-morning advisory.

Heavy snow, from 6-9 inches is in the forecast, with wind gusts up to 45 mph — at times triggering those “near-blizzard” conditions.

The NWS also warns that travel will be hazardous during the storm peak, and that strong wind gusts “could bring down tree branches.”

Eversource: Preparing for “whatever the storm may bring”

Falling tree limbs often can tear down power lines, but the energy company Eversrouce says it is “preparing for whatever the storm may bring.”

“The heavy snowfall and high winds expected late Friday night into Saturday can bring down trees or tree limbs onto electric lines and equipment causing power outages,” Eversource said in a statement Thursday.

The company said it “is strategically pre-positioning equipment and line and tree crews across the state — including hundreds of additional out-of-state crews — so they’re ready to respond quickly and safely to any storm-related outages.”

To report a power outage or check on the status of one, go to this Eversource link, or call 800-286-2000.

Westport emergency information contacts

A list of emergency contact information for Westport, assembled by the local Emergency Management Team, can be found here.