DAYS 1-5 (FEBRUARY 7-11)
A snowy Saturday, a result of the complex evolution / redevelopment of low pressure that was initially starting to pass to our north but ends up as an ocean storm to our south and moving out to sea tonight. During this process the snow takes place with one large general synoptic area as well as some enhanced ocean-effect bands and some focused heavier convective snow areas due to an inverted trough combined with an arctic boundary. When it’s all done, a general light to moderate snowfall occurs everywhere with the exception of heavier bands of snow accumulation where ocean-effect and trough-enhanced snowfall is maximized, still seeming like it will focus on northeastern MA and parts of the MA South Shore. The final snow amounts can end up highly variable from one location to another just a few miles away, but below I’ll give you my best-guess final call on this event, which wraps up by this evening. Note: I think if one location is going to exceed even my highest forecast number, it will be somewhere in Essex County MA. Tonight we have a few lingering snow flurries early with the full-on arrival of arctic air, which will be with us through Sunday night, along with wind and pretty brutal wind chills, as well as blowing snow to add a bit of insult to injury (unless you like this kind of weather, like I do – haha). If you need to be outside for any length of time tonight through Sunday night, dress accordingly! We’ll see a gradual moderation from the coldest weather Monday and Tuesday, although overnight / early morning low temps will still be quite frigid due to deep snow cover and lessening wind. High pressure brings fair weather on Monday. Timing for our next unsettled threat is a little faster with low pressure looking like it will rocket eastward, clipper-style, and pass just north of our area late Tuesday and early Wednesday. While a few tweaks may be needed, it looks like this system’s warm front can produce some light snowfall later Tuesday and its cold front may produce a snow shower early Wednesday, but it will not be a significant weather-producer.
TODAY: Overcast with snow including heavier snow shower bands favoring the MA North Shore & eventually South Shore regions. Snowfall accumulations of 3 to 6 inches in general, with pockets of 6 to 10 inches favoring Essex County MA and the MA South Shore, including Boston, and probably another such pocket southern RI and adjacent southern MA. Highs 18-25 except 23-30 Cape Cod / South Coast, but a rapid temperature drop develops from northwest to southeast during the afternoon hours. Wind E to NE 5-15 MPH, shifting NE to N later in the day.
TONIGHT: Mostly cloudy early with lingering snow flurries, followed by clearing. Lows 0-7. Wind N to NW increasing to 15-25 MPH with higher gusts. Wind chill -10 to -20.
SUNDAY: Sunny. Highs 11-18. Wind NW 15-25 MPH. Wind chill often below zero.
SUNDAY NIGHT: Clear. Lows -5 +2 except 0-7 Cape Cod and some urban centers. Wind NW diminishing to 5-15 MPH.
MONDAY: Sunny. Highs 17-24. Wind NW 5-15 MPH.
MONDAY NIGHT: Clear. Lows -3 to + 5 except 5-12 Cape Cod and urban centers. Wind NW to W under 10 MPH.
TUESDAY: Increasing clouds. Good chance of light snow late-day, favoring areas north of I-90. Highs 25-32. Wind SW up to 10 MPH.
TUESDAY NIGHT: Mostly cloudy. A snow flurry possible. Temperatures nearly steady. Wind SW 5-15 MPH.
WEDNESDAY: Partly sunny. Chance of a snow shower in the morning. Highs 30-37. Wind SW shifting to NW 10-20 MPH with higher gusts.
DAYS 6-10 (FEBRUARY 12-16)
Watching for some mid-period unsettled weather but currently no strong indications of a major event. Temperatures variable, averaging out near to slightly below normal.
DAYS 11-15 (FEBRUARY 17-21)
Up-and-down temperature pattern with one or two more unsettled weather potentials but no major storms expected.