Winter Storm Warning Issued for New England: Heavy Snow Expected
The National Weather Service has upgraded its previous winter storm watch to a winter storm warning for much of New England. The region is expected to experience heavy snowfall over the weekend.
The storm is forecasted to move into the area on Saturday evening and continue overnight and throughout the day on Sunday before tapering off. The snowfall is expected to be mainly concentrated north and west of Route 128, with a mix of rain and snow to the east and south. There is also a possibility of a flash freeze on Sunday afternoon as temperatures drop.
Snow accumulations are predicted to range from one to three inches in areas including the South Coast, South Shore, Cape Cod, and Boston. Further east, between Route 128 and I-495, snow totals could reach six to nine inches. Areas around Worcester, Fitchburg, and southern New Hampshire may see even higher amounts, with nine to 12 inches of snow.
The primary concern from this storm is the potential for travel disruptions due to the heavy snowfall. While it is not expected to be as severe as the windstorm in mid-December, peak wind gusts of 50 to 60 miles per hour are anticipated on outer Cape Cod. Coastal areas may experience gusts between 40 and 50 miles per hour, while inland areas could see gusts up to 30 to 40 miles per hour.
Coastal flooding is not expected to be a significant issue during this storm.
The winter storm warning will be in effect from Saturday night through Sunday night for western and central Massachusetts, the North Shore, Connecticut, and southern Vermont. These areas are where forecasters have high confidence in significant snowfall. Boston and other parts of New Hampshire, Rhode Island, and Massachusetts are also included in the warning.
