DAYS 1-5 (FEBRUARY 6-7)
The complex evolution described in yesterday’s blog post is still expected to take place as noted then, but so you don’t have to go back and re-read it, here’s that section basically copied / pasted and tweaked a tad to be current. While high and mid level clouds increase from the west, lower clouds come in from the ocean on a northeasterly air flow today, and these lower clouds can produce a few coastal snow flurries. This is the start of a complex evolution of a weather system which brings our region snow on Saturday. Transfer from low pressure to our north to developing low pressure to our south and southeast takes place, the end result of which is a deepening ocean storm with an inverted trough swinging back through southeastern New England. While a general widespread light snowfall is expected, pockets of moderate accumulation can occur both in the hills of northwestern RI to central MA, more associated with the initial frontal boundary’s arrival and slowing, and more likely in the I-95 belt eastward with the ocean-effect / inverted trough combination. I put numbers to this in the detailed forecast below. At the conclusion of and following this event, in comes a shot of arctic air, along with wind, that will result in extremely cold wind chill readings but dry weather during Sunday. While the wind and cold ease slightly by Monday, it will remain fair and quite cold with arctic high pressure in control. By Tuesday look for a little more in the way of temperature moderation while high pressure continues to dominate with fair weather.
TODAY: Mostly cloudy. A few coastal snow flurries. Highs 23-30. Wind N to NE 5-15 MPH.
TONIGHT: Cloudy. A few snow flurries early, then periods of snow late evening and overnight. Lows 13-20. Wind NE 5-15 MPH.
SATURDAY: Cloudy. Periods of snow. Heavier snow showers likely at times I-95 belt eastward. Highs 20-27. Wind NE to N 5-15 MPH.
SATURDAY NIGHT: Mostly cloudy evening with lingering snow showers early, including heavier snow showers likely MA South Shore to Cape Cod. Total snowfall accumulation for the event expected to be 1 to 3 inches in much of the area, but 2 to 4 inches in a few higher elevations of North Central MA and 3 to 6 inches from Cape Ann to the MA South Shore and possibly Cape Cod with isolated greater than 6 inch amounts possible east of the I-95 belt. Clearing overnight. Lows 0-7. Wind N to NW increasing to 15-25 MPH creating blowing snow and wind chill readings below to well below zero.
SUNDAY: Sunny. Highs 10-17. 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: Sunny. Highs 25-32. Wind W to SW up to 10 MPH.
DAYS 6-10 (FEBRUARY 11-15)
A little faster timing indicated for next unsettled weather threat which is a chance of snow from low pressure passing by just to our south later February 11 into early February 12, however not indicated to be a major storm. Fair weather follows with temperatures near to below normal.
DAYS 11-15 (FEBRUARY 16-20)
Up-and-down temperature pattern with one or two more unsettled weather potentials but no major storms expected.