Although tomorrow is the first day of spring the area is taking yet another lashing from a potent winter storm on the final day of winter. The silver lining is we do not have the punishing winds and coastal flooding that was prevalent in prior storms. This event is all about the snow.
The snow started around midnight and became steadier and heavier quickly. By the morning commute several inches of snow had fallen with some areas already receiving a half a foot. Pure drudgery for the commuters putting up with a slow and frustrating ride to work as the plows tried to stay ahead of the rapidly accumulating snow. Most area schools made the decision early to close for the day.
As of mid morning about 5.5 inches of snow had fallen in Boston. But, as is usually the case the inland communities are receiving much more snow with some areas nearing a foot. Here are some unofficial snow totals throughout the Boston area and the suburbs to the north and west: Wakefield - 10.3 inches, Stoneham 10, Lowell and Acton 8.5, Topsfield 8.5, Lawrence, Brookline and Concord 8, Lynn 6.2, Saugus 6, Beverly 4 and Salisbury only 2.5 inches. Note the difference between the totals along coastal communities and those amounts reported inland.
For the remainder of today we can expect a wintry mess as rain, snow and sleet continues. The closer to the coast you are the better chance of a rain/sleet mix, with far inland areas seeing more snow with a chance of sleet and rain mixing at times. There could be an additional 2 to 4 inches accumulation inland, with very little accumulation on the coast. Temperatures in the low 30s inland, mid 30s on the coast.
Tonight, precipitation ends as all snow by midnight and a mostly cloudy and breezy overnight follows. Temperatures falling into the low to mid 20s will make for a hard freeze by morning. Another inch or two of snow could fall before it all comes to an end.
Looking forward to spring? Although it officially arrives tomorrow your weather day will be cold and blustery with a chance of a snow flurry or snow shower. Highs around 40, gusty west winds making it feel much cooler than that.
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