Get ready for a winter blast, folks! Boston and its surrounding areas are about to face one of the biggest snowstorms and the coldest temperatures they've seen in years. It's a one-two punch: an Arctic cold front followed by a major winter storm.
The National Weather Service has issued alerts across the country, from the Southwest to New England, covering over 2,000 miles. Cities from the Texas Panhandle to the Northeast are expected to be blanketed in over a foot of snow. But that's not all; just south of these areas, an ice storm is predicted to cause widespread disruption, potentially shutting down airports and leaving millions without power.
Extreme Cold Watch:
Let's talk about the cold first. Temperatures will start dropping on Friday evening as the Arctic front moves in. By Saturday morning, air temperatures in southern New England will be between -10 and 10 degrees. Wind chills will make it feel even colder, ranging from -25 to -15 degrees throughout Saturday. Under these conditions, frostbite can set in on exposed skin within 30 minutes, so bundle up!
The winds will ease up a bit later on Saturday, but the air will remain frigid throughout the weekend.
Snow Timeline in Massachusetts:
Now, let's dive into the snow. Winter storm watches are already in effect across all of southern New England from Sunday morning through Monday evening. Light snow will start falling mid to late Sunday morning, gradually intensifying throughout the afternoon. By nightfall, the snow will be steady and heavy.
The storm will peak from around 5 p.m. on Sunday to 5 a.m. on Monday. After dawn on Monday, the snow will continue, but it will become lighter and more scattered. By late Sunday afternoon, roads will deteriorate, and they'll likely be snow-covered shortly after dark.
The most hazardous travel conditions will be between 7 p.m. on Sunday and 7 a.m. on Monday, with a slow improvement expected during Monday daytime.
How Much Snow for Boston?
We're predicting a widespread 10-20 inches of snow for all of southern New England. As we get closer to the storm, we'll refine these estimates and identify potential areas that might receive even more.
The good news is that the snow will be light and fluffy for most of you, making it easy to move around. In some cases, you might even be able to clear your car with a leaf blower! This type of snow is less likely to stick to trees and power lines, so power outages should be minimal.
Most of the snow accumulation will occur from Sunday night into very early Monday morning.
Weekend Storm Uncertainties:
Here are a few factors we're keeping an eye on that could impact our final snow forecast:
- South Coast, Cape Cod, and the Islands: There's a chance of a brief mix of ice or rain in this area, which would reduce snow totals slightly.
- Coastal and Southeastern Massachusetts: With many winter storms, we often see a localized phenomenon called a coastal front set up near I-95. This front forms as milder Atlantic Ocean air pushes inland, warming areas east of the front by a few degrees. Towns on either side of this front could experience a 10-20-degree temperature difference, with heavier, wetter snow in far eastern areas for a time.
- Areas Northwest of 495, including Worcester County: On the western side of the coastal front, temperatures will be frigid, and the snow will be lighter and fluffier, stacking up quickly. We'll be watching to see if some towns in this area receive more snow than expected.
Fluff Factor and Snow Totals:
To give you an idea of the range of snow totals we're expecting:
- Lower End: 6-12 inches. This could happen if there's some mixing with rain or ice to the south, or if the Arctic air is very dry, slowing down the snow accumulation.
- Upper End: 18-24+ inches. This could occur if temperatures remain in the teens throughout the storm, and the snow becomes even fluffier. We might also see higher totals if the snow on Monday is heavier or more banded.
In big storms like this, there's always the possibility of heavy snow bands dumping an inch or more per hour for several hours in a small area. These highly localized bands are tough to predict but can sometimes form near or on the west side of a coastal front or due to ocean-enhancement along the coastline.
Blizzard Conditions?
Now, here's some good news: we're not expecting much wind with this storm. We'll see northeasterly gusts of 20-40 mph along the immediate coastline late Sunday night into early Monday, but that's much lower than the strong nor'easters we're used to. While this storm could technically be classified as a nor'easter, the winds won't be a major concern.
To achieve blizzard conditions, you need sustained winds or frequent gusts of 35 mph or higher for three consecutive hours, along with visibility of less than a quarter of a mile. Given the wind forecast, we don't expect these conditions to be met. We might see brief periods of blizzard-like conditions along the coast, but sustaining them seems unlikely.
Stay tuned to WBZ-TV, WBZ.com, and CBS News Boston for frequent updates before and during the storm. The WBZ NEXT Weather team has you covered!
And remember, while this storm is expected to be a doozy, it's always a good idea to stay informed, prepare, and stay safe during severe weather events.
What are your thoughts on this upcoming winter storm? Do you think it will live up to the forecasts? Share your predictions and experiences in the comments below!
