Weekend storm could bring heavy snow, strong winds and flooding to Cape Cod

Eric Williams, Cape Cod Times
·3 min read

Cape Cod may get smacked by a powerful storm this weekend that could bring "heavy snow, strong winds, coastal flooding and dangerous seas," according to a Hazardous Weather Outlook issued by the National Weather Service.

The storm is expected to be in our area on Friday night, Jan. 28, 2022 into Saturday. Beach erosion is also possible.

According to a National Weather Service forecast discussion, there is "still some uncertainty on the exact storm track and intensity, which will have a direct impact on snow amounts and other storm details."

Current National Weather Service guidance on the storm indicates the possibility of heavy snow in southeastern Massachusetts, with the potential for white out conditions and strong winds. Coastal flooding is a concern, because there will be astronomically high tides on Saturday. The storm could bring high seas and powerful northeast winds into play, and the degree of possible flooding will likely depend on whether it arrives around the time of high tide.

Looking back: Blizzard of ’78 remains a touchstone for New Englanders who lived through it

See the damage: These images capture recent erosion damage along the backshore of Cape Cod

A look at possible impacts of a winter storm, slated to be in the Cape Cod area on Friday night (Jan. 28, 2022) into Saturday.
A look at possible impacts of a winter storm, slated to be in the Cape Cod area on Friday night (Jan. 28, 2022) into Saturday.

This possible storm arrives on the heels of the recent Jan. 17 storm, which caused significant erosion on parts of Cape Cod, including further imperiling a house at Ballston Beach in Truro. More will be known about the potential track and possible effects from the upcoming storm over the next hours and days, so it probably makes sense to stay informed about the latest forecast.

Here is the current forecast for Cape Cod from the National Weather Service:

Thursday: A slight chance of snow showers before 8am. Sunny, with a high near 30. North wind 5 to 9 mph becoming south in the afternoon. Chance of precipitation is 20%.

Thursday Night Weather Forecast

Increasing clouds, with a low around 23. Southwest wind around 9 mph.

Friday Weather Forecast

A chance of snow, mainly after 4pm. Cloudy, with a high near 37. Southwest wind 5 to 8 mph. Chance of precipitation is 30%. Little or no snow accumulation expected.

Friday Night Weather Forecast

Snow, mainly after 11pm. Low around 28. Northeast wind 5 to 10 mph increasing to 11 to 16 mph after midnight. Winds could gust as high as 31 mph. Chance of precipitation is 80%. New snow accumulation of 3 to 5 inches possible.

Saturday Weather Forecast

Snow. High near 36. Windy, with a north wind 26 to 31 mph increasing to 34 to 39 mph in the morning. Winds could gust as high as 60 mph. Chance of precipitation is 90%.

Previously: Monday's storm further threatens house on Ballston Beach in Truro

TRURO -- A significant storm this weekend could further imperil this house at Ballston Beach. This photo was taken on Jan. 19, 2022.
TRURO -- A significant storm this weekend could further imperil this house at Ballston Beach. This photo was taken on Jan. 19, 2022.

Saturday Night Weather Forecast

Snow, mainly before 3am. Low around 16. Windy, with a north wind 22 to 31 mph, with gusts as high as 47 mph. Chance of precipitation is 80%.

Sunday Weather Forecast

A chance of snow before 9am. Mostly sunny, with a high near 27. Northwest wind 15 to 18 mph, with gusts as high as 31 mph. Chance of precipitation is 30%.

Sunday Night Weather Forecast

Mostly clear, with a low around 15. West wind 10 to 13 mph.

Photo gallery: Erosion on Cape Cod through the years

This article originally appeared on Cape Cod Times: How much snow is Cape Cod getting? Forecasters watching weekend storm