Forecast discussion: High pressure just over Rhode Island gave Boston a nice, sunny Friday morning, before clouds began to take over our skies. The clouds are ahead of another winter storm, which will be bringing us more than just snow this time.
At this time, the storm is located over the Southeast U.S. A low pressure center will develop near the Delmarva Peninsula during the overnight, before moving towards Southern New England. Now, parts of the state will see some snowfall; the National Weather Service has issued a Winter Storm Watch for Essex and Norfolk Counties from 7 a.m. Saturday morning until 7 p.m. Sunday evening. This reason for this watch is due to the fact that this region could see the potential of up to 6 inches or more of snowfall.
The worst part of the storm will occur Saturday night into early Sunday morning. The rain-snow line will move south, as colder air moves over the entire state. So, from north to south, we will see rain or a mix of rain and snow change over to all snow. Also, we could see moderate snowfall during this time, with snowfall of an inch or two per hour. However, this is also going to be a wet snow, so it will be harder to shovel or use a snow blower to remove. Also, the heavier snowfall could help bring down tree limbs or power lines, so power outages are possible.
The snow will slowly taper off Sunday morning, with snow showers remaining over the state right into early Sunday evening. As of right now, I’m predicting the Cape and Islands to see just a dusting to an inch. A line from Plymouth and the rest of Bristol County will see about 2-4 inches by 12 p.m. on Sunday. Finally, around the Boston area I see about 4-6 inches falling. Worcester County may see about 6-10 inches.
We will see some sunshine on Monday, as a weak high pressure ridge builds over the region. However, the dry weather will be short lived, as another low pressure system will bring more precipitation by Tuesday evening. Because the low will be west of us, I am expecting more rain than snow once again, although the precipitation may end as some wet snow during early Wednesday morning. But, the precipitation will change back to rain, as there will be too much warm air at the lower levels of the atmosphere.
By Thursday, we will see more clouds than sunshine, when there is another chance at some light snow on Friday. Lake effect moisture from the Great Lakes will slowly move into Southern New England. There might be enough upper level dynamics in the atmosphere to help create some small snow accumulations.
72 hour forecast:
Tonight: Mostly cloudy with a low of 28.
Saturday: Cloudy with wet snow in Worcester County, with a mix of rain and snow right into Boston. The Cape and Islands will start off as plain rain. We will see a high of 37 with southeast winds at 8-11 mph.
Saturday night: Wintry mix or rain changing to snow during the overnight hours from north to south. Snow may be moderate at times. We will see a low of 32 with east-northeast winds at 10-15 mph.
Sunday: Light snow through the morning, before tapering off during the evening. We will see a high of 39. The Cape and Islands will see a dusting. The city of Plymouth and Bristol County will see 2-4 inches, while Boston will see about 4-6 inches. Winds will increase to 20-25 mph from the north-northwest with gusts of 40 mph possible.
Sunday night: Partly to mostly cloudy with a low of 29.
Monday: Partly sunny with a high of 41.
Monday night: Partly cloudy with a low of 26.
Extended Forecast:
Tuesday: Partly cloudy in the morning, with increasing clouds in the afternoon. Rain expected by the late evening. Highs 40-43, lows 32-35.
Wednesday: Snow and rain, heavy in the early morning, changing to rain by the early afternoon. Precipitation ends by the late evening. Highs 42-45, lows 30-33.
Thursday: Partly sunny. Highs 39-42, lows 28-31.
Friday: Cloudy with possible light snow. Highs 35-38, lows 25-28.
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