NORTH WORCESTER COUNTY, Mass. - Snow in October in Massachusetts is not rare. Snow falling twice within days is uncommon. However, to wake up Sunday, October 30, to 26 inches of snow that had fallen overnight, well, that was downright unnerving. Fortunately, I won't be raking leaves for now.
On the downside, the final phase of our major house project is on hold. The irony in that is we were trying to beat the cold. An October nor'easter tagged with "historic" significance was never a concern.
First Snow and Loss of Power
At my home, we planned to remove our main entrance and replace it with a bay window. My husband had already constructed a new front entrance, and the door was in. We heard there might be snow.
We postponed removing the current entryway to be safe. It was a good thing we did.
The first snow fell here in the north central area of the Commonwealth on Thursday, October 27. The snow was the worst kind for this time of the year-wet and heavy. Many trees still bear leaves. The snow coats the leaves in layers, weighing them down.
Eventually, branches give out under the weight and snap off. By 8 p.m., tree limbs broke off and took out a power line along with our electricity. After midnight, the power was restored.
Four inches marked the autumn snow total. That amount I can live with. Besides, the first snow is always delightful.
However, it was clear by Friday, October 28, that a noteworthy storm was bearing down on the Northeast. Boston's news stations reported a nor'easter in the making.
Throughout our October renovations, we've battled rain and chilly temps; a nor'easter with snow was a huge surprise.
Weather reports called for three to five inches of snow in North Worcester County. It's not exactly what I wanted to hear. It's New England after all. As a life-long resident I know first-hand that the weather can turn at any moment.
I was stunned when the predicted snowfall amounts began to escalate.
The Paradox of Snow
Originally, I believed 12-16 inches of heavy snow was on its way. I geared up in anticipation of being without power again. The nor'easter started at 5 p.m. Saturday, October 29. Instantly, it was near whiteout conditions.
By 9 p.m., the pine and oak trees around my house were overburdened with the weight of nine inches of heavy snow.
Another whopping 17 inches fell overnight. I could not get my front door open. It's the first time we've ever had to have someone come to plow us out in October. Amazingly, my electricity remained on.
Towns and cities around me, and even places with far less snow, are sadly, still without power. Some 350,000 homes in the state are waiting for power to be restored. Trick or treat was postponed in the area, and many schools remain closed.
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