Snow on the way: Winter storm watch issued in Massachusetts ahead of weekend nor’easter
A winter storm watch has been issued for much of Massachusetts ahead of a weekend nor’easter that is threatening to drop more than a half foot of snow in many areas.
The watch is in effect for Central Middlesex, Eastern Essex, Eastern Franklin, Eastern Hampden, Eastern Hampshire, Northern Worcester, Northwest Middlesex, Southeast Middlesex, Southern Worcester, Western Essex, Western Franklin, Western Hampden, Western Hampshire, Western Norfolk, Northern Berkshire, and Southern Berkshire counties from Saturday afternoon through late Sunday, according to the National Weather Service.
Heavy snow is possible with total accumulations of more than 6 inches in those areas, as well as wind gusts as high as 40 mph, according to the NWS.
“Heaviest snow most likely north and west of the I-95 corridor,” the NWS said in an advisory. “Travel could be very difficult. Snow loading from heavy wet snow may lead to power outages.”
Snowfall will reach the region Saturday night and continue through part of the day on Sunday.
Boston and coastal areas to the south were excluded from the winter storm watch.
A snow totals projection map shared Thursday by Boston 25 meteorologist Kevin Lewanowicz indicated that a large portion of the Bay State including western Massachusetts, Worcester County, and parts of Middlesex and Norfolk counties have the “best chance” for more than six inches of snow.
UPDATE TO THE SNOW MAP- we took our bands of 3+ and 6+ and put some ranges. I favored 6-10", but we are a team, so 6-12" it is. Makes sense, too, with a few days still to go. This will be fine-tuned for sure. I'll explain in plenty of detail from 5-7 pm on @boston25 pic.twitter.com/tHAs5XnA61
— Kevin Lemanowicz (@KevinBoston25) January 4, 2024
Parts of the North Shore, Boston, and down into the South Shore will “likely” see more than 3 inches of snow or more, while southeastern Massachusetts, including Cape Cod and the Islands, will see a mix of snow and rain.
“There will be some mixing. There will be some rain involved if it stays in the track I’m expecting right now,” Lewanowicz said in his Thursday night forecast.
Peak storm conditions will happen Sunday morning through the midday hours. The system is expected to move out by Sunday night.
“If you’re gonna be out late Saturday night it’s gonna get messy out there. If you’re out there Sunday morning, got things to do, it’s gonna be a slow go. If you’re going to the Patriots game at Gillette Stadium, it’s gonna be snowing or raining at that point when they kick off.”
Some guidance has been hinting at additional interaction between our downstream disturbance and primary low.
This is significant because it suggests potential for a second burst of snow later in the day. Unlike the AM, temps would be uniformly ≤32°, so more snowfall for all. pic.twitter.com/vWLnRshWIK— Tucker Antico (@tuckerweather) January 4, 2024
A Weather Alert has been issued for Sunday with coastal wind and poor travel threats also accompanying the expected snow.
The storm is not expected to have an impact on Monday.
Stay with the Boston 25 Weather Team for updates as the weekend gets closer.
This is a developing story. Check back for updates as more information becomes available.
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