The National Weather Service (NWS) is forecasting precipitation to move into the state midday Tuesday, with initial snows transitioning to a wintry mix of mostly sleet with some freezing rain across the interior, and to rain along the coast, ending my mid-morning Wednesday. This storm will impact the Tuesday evening commute.
NWS has issued a Winter Storm Watch for Berkshire, Hampden, Hampshire, Franklin, Worcester, Middlesex, Essex, Suffolk and Norfolk counties.
Please see the forecast information and graphics below from the National Weather Service for likely timing of precipitation (onset and ending), snowfall amounts, and icing amounts.
From the National Weather Service:
What / Where / When …
- Onset snow transitioning to a wintry mix of mostly sleet with some freezing rain across interior Southern New England, transitioning to rain along the coast late Tuesday night.
- Beginning Tuesday afternoon, ending by early to mid-morning Wednesday.
- Biggest concern are the impacts for the Tuesday afternoon into evening commute.
o Hazardous travel conditions on roads, especially untreated surfaces, and reductions in visibility as a result of potential high snowfall rates.
Uncertainty …
- Still some uncertainty with timing, best scenario would be a later onset of snowfall across eastern Massachusetts until after the evening commute. The rest of the region looks to be impacted regardless.
- Potential for snowfall rates of 1-2″ an hour during the evening commute.
- Snow and ice amounts could differ across the interior depending on how fast warm air moves in overnight.
- Wednesday morning commute should be okay for the majority of the region, but there could still be some lingering icy spots across the interior.
Graphics: