Massachusetts on Thursday will face down the most dangerous winter storm so far this season as a daylong nor’eastercould bring strong winds and blizzard-like conditions to the hardest-hit areas.

Boston could get a foot or more of snow, and other parts of the state will likely see accumulations between 8 and 14 inches, according to the National Weather Service. Temperatures are expected to plummet into the single digits, and wind gusts could reach 45 miles per hour.

Governor Charlie Baker said state offices will be closed on Thursday for non-emergency, executive branch employees.

Because of the timing of the storm, which will likely arrive before 7 a.m. and move out in the evening, public officials asked residents to avoid traveling if possible. “We’re asking folks to stay off the roads tomorrow and not travel unless absolutely necessary,’’ Baker said at a Wednesday evening press conference at the State House.

The subway and commuter rail are expected to be running on schedule, but adjustments could be made as snow piles up. Baker also asked people to work from home if they can.

“The thing I want everybody to remember here is: You’re going to get up in the morning and it’s not going to look that bad,’’ Baker said. “But the heaviest snow is going to fall sometime between 10 o’clock in the morning and 4 o’clock in the afternoon.’’

Boston Public Schools canceled classes for Thursday, the first time that has happened this school year. And Mayor Martin J. Walsh announced that a citywide snow emergency would take effect at 10 a.m. — another first for the season.

The National Weather Service issued a winter storm warning from 6 a.m. until 8 p.m. Thursday for nearly all of Massachusetts. Cape Cod, the South Shore, and the Islands will be under a blizzard warning starting at 9 a.m.

The storm is likely to cause disruptions from Maryland to Maine, but weather service meteorologist Bill Simpson said southern New England is likely to bear the brunt.

So far the state has dodged major storms this winter. The one significant snowfall happened on a Saturday — dropping 8.1 inches in Boston and upwards of 15 inches to the southeast.

So far this winter, Boston has seen 16.8 inches of snow.

Andy Rosen can be reached at andrew.rosen@globe.com. Follow him on Twitter at @andyrosen.