That time has arrived. You know what we’re talking about. That S-word is in the forecast for part of the region. You know the one. It’s 4 letters and rhymes with blow.
The week starts off with high pressure giving us a breezy and cool Monday, but clouds move in Monday night, setting up a messy Tuesday. Despite the hype online for the past week, this will NOT be a big deal for a good chunk of the region, though it is the first one this season, so be prepared for lots of people that forgot how to drive in wintry weather (or never knew how to in the first place). That high will be moving off to the east, so while it’ll be chilly to start the day, we won’t have a lot of cold air in place for much of the storm. An upper-level disturbance will be moving in from the Great Lakes while low pressure develops off the Carolinas heading northeastward. These two won’t join forces until they are well past us, so a blockbuster snowstorm is not expected. In fact, this one will be moving fairly quickly, likely in and out in about 12 hours. We’ll see precipitation developing near or just after the morning rush hour. Temperatures should be cold enough for it to start as snow for most of the region, except for Southeastern Massachusetts, the Cape, and Islands. However, with the ocean still relatively mild (water temperatures are in the 40s to lower 50s), a quick change to rain is expected south and east of Interstate 95. How far inland that rain/snow line gets will be determined by the exact track that the developing coastal storm takes, but that is still a bit of a question mark at this point. Right now, we’re expecting the changeover to likely get as far inland as Interstate 495, but that is highly uncertain. Precipitation will fall moderate to heavy at times on Tuesday, especially south of Boston, but as the system pulls away from the region later in the day, colder air may allow the rain/snow line to quickly move back toward the coast, with much of the region possibly ending as some snow before midnight, except possibly the Cape and Islands. So, how much are we expecting?
Cape Cod/Islands: Rain
Southeastern MA/RI (South and east of I-95): A coating.
Boston-Providence (I-95 corridor): Less than 1″
Northern RI/MetroWest/North Shore: 1-3″
Merrimack Valley: 2-4″
Southern NH/NH Seacoast: 3-6″
Worcester Hills/Monadnocks/Central NH: 4-8″ (possibly 10″ in spots, especially in the higher elevations)
Once the system pulls away we turn drier and chilly for Wednesday as high pressure builds in. Another cold front moves through on Thursday, with a few snow showers or squalls likely accompanying it. Friday looks to be another dry and cold day as high pressure builds back in. The weekend looks unsettled at this point, but nothing significant. Another system will pass by to the south Saturday morning and afternoon with some snow showers inland and rain showers along the coast. At this point, any accumulations look to be light, but that can obviously change, so we’ll keep an eye on it as the week goes on. Another Alberta Clipper quickly follows for later on Sunday. For now, this one looks to be just a few rain showers, possibly snow or a wintry mix well inland, but again, a lot can change between now and then.
Monday: Mostly sunny, breezy. High 36-43.
Monday night: Becoming partly to mostly cloudy. Low 20-27, milder across Cape Cod, temperatures start rising after midnight.
Tuesday: Cloudy with snow developing (rain Cape Cod and SE Mass), quickly changing to rain south and east of I-95, eventually changing to rain as far inland as I-495. High 32-39 north and west of I-95, 40-47 south and east, possibly warmer across Cape Cod.
Tuesday night: Rain changes back to snow before ending across much of the region, rain ending across Cape Cod, becoming breezy, especially along the coast. Skies start to clear out late at night. Low 23-30.
Wednesday: Sunshine and some afternoon clouds. High 33-40.
Wednesday night: Partly to mostly cloudy. Low 20-27.
Thursday: Intervals of clouds and sun, breezy, chance for a few snow showers or squalls. High 34-41.
Thursday night: Becoming clear, breezy during the evening, much colder. Low 7-14, warmer in urban areas and along the coast.
Friday: Mostly sunny in the morning, clouds start to filter in during the afternoon. High 23-30, a little milder across Cape Cod.
Saturday: Cloudy with a chance for snow showers inland, rain showers along the coast, mostly during the morning and early afternoon. High 34-41.
Sunday: Mostly cloudy, chance for a few afternoon rain showers, possibly mixed with snow or sleet at the start well north and west of Boston. High 34-41.
Storm HQ 