HERE COMES BIG FT.

12-in. nor’easter wallop

A quick-hitting nor’easter is expected to dump up to a foot of snow on the Big Apple this weekend — with even higher amounts predicted for Long Island and Connecticut, forecasters said Wednesday.

The powerful snowstorm is expected to intensify as it travels north from the Carolinas and arrives in the tristate area early Saturday, AccuWeather meteorologist Mary Gilbert told The Post.

“Once the snow really starts to get going, conditions are going to deteriorate pretty quickly,” she said.

“Our confidence is relatively high this is going to be a significant event. The worst of the storm will target New England and potentially New York City.”

The snowfall is expected to wallop the New York area between midnight Friday and 2 a.m. Saturday, with wind gusts up to 45 mph.

While the Big Apple could see as much as 8 to 12 inches of snow, parts of eastern Long Island may see up to 18 inches before the storm leaves the region.

“It’s going to get pretty potent and race up the coast, basically,” Gilbert said.

In New Jersey, the eastern half of the state is expected to get 6 to 12 inches, while the western side will get a more manageable 3 to 6 inches. The same split is expected in Connecticut, where Hartford and areas east could see up to 18 inches, with about a foot possible west of the state’s capital.

Boston blitz

The heaviest snowfall is expected in areas farther north, like much of New England, including Boston, which could be “clobbered” with between 12 and 18 inches of snow, Gilbert said.

“Boston is within the bull’s-eye of some of the worst conditions expected, and into Maine,” she said.

“They’re going to have very strong winds as well, so travel is going to be very difficult.”

Significant impact on travel in some areas is likely, Gilbert added. She advised people to follow updated forecasts and to avoid travel during heavy snowfall if possible.

“I personally would not want to drive in this,” she said.