BOSTON (AP) — A spokeswoman for Gov. Deval Patrick says he’s receiving regular updates about the approaching winter storm and its potential impact on Massachusetts.

The governor is attending a swearing-in ceremony for interim U.S. Sen. Mo Cowan in Washington on Thursday, but is in close contact with officials monitoring the storm’s path.

One decision Patrick must make is whether to keep non-emergency state workers home on Friday or release them early, and if private employers should be urged to do likewise. The storm — which forecasts say could leave up to two feet of snow — is expected to pick up in intensity Friday.

In December 2007, Patrick advised public and private sector workers to leave in advance of an intense storm, but the heavy snow paralyzed state highways and left many motorists stranded for hours.