Photos: October Snowfall Blankets MetroWest, Worcester

FRAMINGHAM, MA — Daylight saving time is still in effect and Halloween candy hasn't even been handed out yet — but that didn't stop winter from making an appearance on Friday.

An early snowfall — partially due to the remnants of Hurricane Zeta — swept across the state on Friday, leaving anywhere from a trace to several inches of wet snow. As of 1 p.m., about 2 inches had fallen along the Mass Pike corridor between Worcester and I-95, according to the National Weather Service. But the snow continued to fall well into the afternoon hours.

One snow measuring site in Boston marked 3-1/2 inches at 2:30 p.m., smashing an Oct. 30 record — and the monthly record for that spot, according to the National Weather Service. One weather-watcher measured more than 5 inches in Fitchburg.

But by Friday night totals hit more than 6 inches in areas west of I-495, with about 6-1/2 inches in Worcester, according to meteorologists.

The storm also caused scores of collisions across the state, including a serious crash along the Mass Pike in Westborough, and one that led to a fuel spill at Lake Quinsigamond.

But plenty of local residents got some enjoyment out of the early snow, which clashed with bright fall colors and Halloween decorations.

Marlborough resident Heather Esty shared these photos of her Halloween display when the snow began falling, and then after a few hours of snow.

---

---

Meanwhile, Framingham resident Trish O'Leary watched a pot of flowers on her porch get dusted by snow.

---

In Boston on Friday morning, commuters (and dogs) got pummeled by slushy snow.

---

In Worcester — where more than 2-1/2 inches had fallen by noontime — a tree at Green Hill Park in the midst of its fall change stood out near the Vietnam Veterans Memorial.

---

Don't put away the shovels yet. The trusted Farmers' Almanac is predicting a cold, very snowy winter in Massachusetts through 2021.