DAYS 1-5 (MARCH 8-12)

An ocean storm continues to spin to our east, blocked by Greenland high pressure, and this will go on for another 2 days. Our weather as a result will be breezy and cool with dominant clouds but very limited precipitation chances. The coldest air was with us as this set up, giving the region some light snow showers yesterday, but a bit of temperature moderation around the low’s circulation means that any shower activity will trend toward rain today and Thursday, but either way it will be insignificant. The block breaks down by Friday and the low pressure area wanders away to the east, releasing its grip on us and allowing high pressure to move in with more tranquil weather and sunshine to end the work week. As things begin to move along again in the atmosphere, low pressure will make a run at the region via the Great Lakes, but with some effects lingering from the ocean storm and what’s left of the block, this system will be shunted to the south, just grazing the South Coast early in the weekend, and leaving us with a generally dry and cool weekend otherwise. Oh, and don’t forget! This is the weekend that’s shorter than the others by 1 hour as we “spring foward” at 2 a.m. Sunday in the return to Daylight Saving Time.

TODAY: Mostly cloudy. A passing light rain or snow shower possible. Highs 38-45. Wind N 10-20 MPH, higher gusts.

TONIGHT: Mostly cloudy. Lows 28-35. Wind N 10-20 MPH, higher gusts.

THURSDAY: Partly sunny. A passing light rain shower possible. Highs 40-47. Wind N 5-15 MPH, higher gusts.

THURSDAY NIGHT: Partly cloudy. Lows 27-34.Wind NW 5-15 MPH.

FRIDAY: Mostly sunny. Highs 40-47. wind NW 5-15 MPH.

FRIDAY NIGHT: Clouding up. Some light snow/mix/rain possible South Coast overnight. Lows 30-37. Wind N-NE 5-15 MPH.

SATURDAY: Mostly cloudy. Early morning light snow/mix/rain possible South Coast. Highs 40-47. Wind NE-N 5-15 MPH, higher gusts especially South Coast.

SATURDAY NIGHT: Partly cloudy. Lows 25-32. Wind N 5-15 MPH.

SUNDAY: Partly sunny. Highs 38-45. Wind NW 5-15 MPH.

DAYS 6-10 (MARCH 13-17)

Watching the potential for a moderate to major storm to impact the region with wind and precipitation early next week – details to be determined. Trending drier mid to late week. Temperatures below normal.

DAYS 11-15 (MARCH 18-22)

Lower confidence in the weather pattern for this period, but 1 or 2 more storm systems may potentially impact the region as we transition from winter to spring (Equinox on March 20). Temperatures below to near normal.

DAYS 1-5 (MARCH 7-11)

A large low pressure area east and northeast of New England will give us a gusty breeze and some of its cloudiness at times during the next few days, along with a couple chances of passing light snow and rain showers, but most of the time will be dry. The low pulls away and high pressure moves in for Friday with fair and more tranquil weather. Watching a storm system for the beginning of the weekend. Right now, model camps are split – one hit, one graze, one miss. I’m leaning toward this system not reach us on Saturday other than spreading some of its high clouds into the sky.

TODAY: Cloud/sun intervals. Highs 35-42. Wind NW 10-20 MPH, higher gusts.

TONIGHT: Variably cloudy. Lows 25-32. Wind NNW 5-15 MPH, higher gusts.

WEDNESDAY: Mostly cloudy. A passing light rain or snow shower possible. Highs 38-45. Wind N 10-20 MPH, higher gusts.

WEDNESDAY NIGHT: Mostly cloudy. Lows 28-35. Wind N 10-20 MPH, higher gusts.

THURSDAY: Partly sunny. A passing light rain or snow shower possible. Highs 39-46. Wind N 10-20 MPH, higher gusts.

THURSDAY NIGHT: Partly cloudy. Lows 27-34.Wind NW 5-15 MPH.

FRIDAY: Mostly sunny. Highs 40-47. wind NW 5-15 MPH.

FRIDAY NIGHT: Clear. Lows 20-27. Wind variable under 10 MPH.

SATURDAY: Sun and high clouds. Highs 40-47. Wind variable up to 10 MPH.

DAYS 6-10 (MARCH 12-16)

There’s some uncertainty as to how 2 storm systems will impact the region. Current idea is that #1 will pass just south of the region during March 12 with lots of clouds but mostly a miss for its precipitation shield, and #2 will move up and into the region during the March 13-15 period with unsettled weather including rain and snow, details to be determined. Dry weather returning at the end of the period. Temperatures near to below normal.

DAYS 11-15 (MARCH 17-21)

Watching one more potential storm system that may impact the region with a variety of precipitation as we count down the final days of winter and welcome spring (Equinox on March 20). Temperatures mostly below normal.

DAYS 1-5 (MARCH 6-10)

A quieter stretch by March standards and certainly compared to recently is underway and will last through the next 5 days. Ironically, a large storm system will be the primary driver of the quiet pattern, as a broad low pressure area takes hold over far eastern Canada and expands it circulation to include our region, especially from Tuesday through Thursday. First, a weak area of high pressure starts us with a clear sky today but clouds from an approaching disturbance from the west will move in during the afternoon. Previously I thought this disturbance may make a hard enough run at us to bring some scattered precipitation, but it appears the organizing low to the east will be strong enough soon enough to deflect it south through Tuesday, when some of its clouds will still be moving through, then absorb it. During midweek, a couple disturbances rotating around the large low will bring us periods of clouds and maybe a passing sprinkle of rain or flurry of snow, but nothing significant. You’ll mainly notice the gusty wind that the system will provide us, and the chilly March air that accompanies it. By Friday, the low will begin to move away to the east and another area of high pressure moves in with dry, calmer weather.

TODAY: Sunny morning. Variably cloudy afternoon. Highs 40-47. Wind NW 10-20 MPH, higher gusts.

TONIGHT: Variably cloudy. Lows 26-33. Wind NW 5-15 MPH, higher gusts.

TUESDAY: Variably cloudy. Highs 35-42. Wind NW 10-20 MPH, higher gusts.

TUESDAY NIGHT: Variably cloudy. Lows 25-32. Wind NNW 5-15 MPH, higher gusts.

WEDNESDAY: Mostly cloudy. A passing light rain or snow shower possible. Highs 38-45. Wind N 10-20 MPH, higher gusts.

WEDNESDAY NIGHT: Mostly cloudy. Lows 28-35. Wind N 10-20 MPH, higher gusts.

THURSDAY: Partly sunny. A passing light rain or snow shower possible. Highs 39-46. Wind N 10-20 MPH, higher gusts.

THURSDAY NIGHT: Partly cloudy. Lows 27-34.Wind NW 5-15 MPH.

FRIDAY: Mostly sunny. Highs 40-47. wind NW 5-15 MPH.

DAYS 6-10 (MARCH 11-15)

Active pattern returns. Watching a couple of potential storms with rain/mix/snow threats during this 5 day period heading into mid March. Temperatures near to below normal.

DAYS 11-15 (MARCH 16-20)

Active pattern continues. An additional storm threat or two with rain/mix/snow chances during the final several days of winter. Temperatures below normal.

DAYS 1-5 (MARCH 5-9)

A trough of low pressure swings through the region this morning with clouds and maybe a quick snow flurry here and there before we clear out. That trough will be ingested by a larger low pressure circulation to the east, and it is that low that will be the primary driver of our weather through the middle of the coming week with generally dry, breezy, chilly weather. The only “interruption” is a low pressure system that tries to run into things from the west on Tuesday, and makes it across our region with a band of snow or snow showers before being stopped and deflected southward, re-crossing our region as a decaying system as its absorbed by the larger low. A second shower or snow or possibly rain may occur in the area as this happens later Tuesday, leaving that as the only “unsettled” day of the next 5.

TODAY: Mostly cloudy this morning with a slight chance of a passing snow flurry, then a sun/cloud mix this afternoon. Highs 35-42. Wind NW increasing to 10-20 MPH.

TONIGHT: Mostly clear. Lows 23-30. Wind NW 5-15 MPH, higher gusts.

MONDAY: Sun and passing clouds. Highs 38-45. Wind NW 10-20 MPH, gusty.

MONDAY NIGHT: Clouds increase. Lows 28-35. Wind NW 5-15 MPH.

TUESDAY: Cloudy with a period of snow or snow showers in the morning. Mostly cloudy with a passing rain or snow shower again later in the day. Highs 36-43. Wind NW 5-15 MPH, becoming N in the afternoon.

TUESDAY NIGHT: Mostly cloudy. Lows 24-31. Wind N-NW 5-15 MPH.

WEDNESDAY: Mostly cloudy to partly sunny. Highs 37-44. Wind N 5-15 MPH, higher gusts.

WEDNESDAY NIGHT: Partly to mostly cloudy. Lows 27-34. Wind NNW 5-15 MPH, higher gusts.

THURSDAY: Partly sunny. Highs 38-45. Wind NW 5-15 MPH, higher gusts.

DAYS 6-10 (MARCH 10-14)

Northwesterly air flow of mainly dry and chilly weather early in the period. Watching the March 11-13 period for potential storminess. Fair weather returns at the end of the period.

DAYS 11-15 (MARCH 15-18)

This period of time looks cooler to colder than normal and there can still be a threat or two of wintry weather from passing low pressure systems during this time frame.

DAYS 1-5 (MARCH 4-8)

A stormy Saturday with a variety of precipitation (snow to the north and away from the coast, some sleet, and rain closer to the coast and down to the south). As a secondary low pressure takes over from the primary one, and heads into the waters to our east, colder air wrapping into the system will change the rain back over to snow as it is in the process of tapering to showers, providing some additional accumulation in areas that saw a burst of snow first that then went to sleet and rain, so the overall snow accumulation forecast for the event as a whole is the same as previously, but this is a reminder that in a system with “mild” air, and precipitation transitions, you’re not going to “see” all of that snowfall on the ground at once. There is settling and melting that goes on as a part of the process. Storm exits overnight and early Sunday with a few lingering snow showers around on a trough, then we get into a northwesterly air flow of mainly dry and chilly weather for the rest of the weekend and the first half of next week, with the exception of a low pressure disturbance that has to pass close to or through the region on Tuesday, on its way to be absorbed by offshore low pressure. That is our only real shot of unsettled weather after this system during the rest of this 5-day period, and it wont’ be a big deal.

TODAY: Cloudy. Snow/sleet north, rain to the south, transitioning back to snow and snow showers from northwest to southeast with some additional accumulation bringing totals for the event to under 2 inches south and east of I-95 belt, 2-4 inches I-95 belt, 4-8 inches to the northwest of there. Highs 33-40. Wind E-NE 10-20 MPH inland and 20-30 MPH coast with higher gusts early, shifting to N 10-20 MPH and gusty midday-afternoon.

TONIGHT: Mostly cloudy. Chance of snow showers. Lows 25-32. Wind N to NW 5-15 MPH, higher gusts.

SUNDAY: Mostly cloudy with a chance of snow showers early morning. Sun and passing clouds thereafter. Highs 35-42. Wind NW 10-20 MPH.

SUNDAY NIGHT: Mostly clear. Lows 23-30. Wind NW 5-15 MPH, higher gusts.

MONDAY: Sun and passing clouds. Highs 38-45. Wind NW 10-20 MPH, gusty.

MONDAY NIGHT: Clouds increase. Lows 28-35. Wind NW 5-15 MPH.

TUESDAY: Cloudy with period of snow except rain or snow in coastal areas. Highs 36-43. Wind variable 5-15 MPH.

TUESDAY NIGHT: Clearing. Lows 22-29. Wind NW 5-15 MPH.

WEDNESDAY: Sunny to partly cloudy. Highs 37-44. Wind NW 5-15 MPH.

DAYS 6-10 (MARCH 9-13)

Northwesterly air flow of mainly dry and chilly weather early in the period. Watching the March 11-13 period for potential storminess.

DAYS 11-15 (MARCH 14-17)

During the final full week of winter, expect near to below normal temperatures and the need to watch for one or two potential systems that can bring some frozen precipitation to the region.

DAYS 1-5 (MARCH 3-7)

High pressure provides us with a bright start to our Friday, but clouds streaming into the region ahead of our next storm system will filter and eventually blot out the sun as we move through the day. As yet another low pressure area heads for the Great Lakes, the synoptic set-up is rather similar to the low pressure area that impacted our region on Tuesday, but this time with just a slightly colder atmosphere – though not much colder. Redevelopment of low pressure will take place just to our south and the center of this one will move out along or just off the New England South Coast late tonight into Saturday. The precipitation shield arriving later tonight will do so as mainly snow for the region but there will be a rain/snow line probably around Cape Cod at the onset, maybe with some sleet along it as well, and that line will move from its initial point somewhat to the north, more so along the coast than over the interior, but nevertheless will do so, limiting snowfall accumulation in such a way that the distribution will be an increased snowfall gradient as you move north northwestward across the region. Steadiest precipitation will occur through Saturday morning with a midday break, but as low pressure heads seaward it will drag slightly colder air back in and a bit of a temperature drop may occur with the rain/snow line potentially collapsing back southeastward, especially Saturday afternoon. However as this happens the precipitation should become more spotty in nature, leaving us with just showers of snow, mix, and rain northwest to southeast across the region. A few additional snow showers may linger Saturday night into early Sunday as an inverted trough behind the storm swings through the region from north to south. In the wake of the system we will have dry and chilly weather with a gusty north to northwest wind for the balance of Sunday and into Monday too. Another low pressure system will move east southeast into the Northeast via the Great Lakes on Monday night and Tuesday, bringing some rain and snow shower activity to our region, but I don’t believe this system will have much organization and impact as it will be in the process of being absorbed by a larger low pressure circulation located to the east of New England.

TODAY: Sunshine followed by increasing cloudiness. Highs 36-43. Wind N up to 10 MPH.

TONIGHT: Overcast. Snow arriving west to east late evening except as mix/rain Cape Cod. Steady snow overnight, possibly heavy for a while, except rain Cape Cod and snow turning to rain South Coast and eventually MA South Shore. Lows 29-36. Wind NE to E 5-15 MPH with gusts over 20 MPH inland, 15-30 MPH with gusts over 40 MPH coast, some over 50 MPH especially Cape Cod.

SATURDAY: Overcast through midday with snow southern NH and far northern MA, snow and sleet possibly mixed with rain Cape Ann MA down 128 to I-90 belt, and some mix but mostly rain to the south. Expected snow accumulation from little or nothing along the South Coast and Cape Cod to a coating to 2 inches just away from immediate South Coast to the MA South Shore, 2-4 inches Boston (maybe under 2 Logan Airport) to Cape Ann MA westward along the I-90 belt, 4-8 inches interior northeastern MA through central and north central MA northward through southern NH except possibly under 4 inches at the NH Seacoast. Mostly cloudy with lingering snow showers, except rain showers turning to snow showers to the south, during the afternoon. Highs 31-38. Wind E-NE 10-20 MPH inland and 20-30 MPH coast with higher gusts early, shifting to N 10-20 MPH and gusty midday-afternoon.

SATURDAY NIGHT: Mostly cloudy. Chance of snow showers. Lows 25-32. Wind N to NW 5-15 MPH, higher gusts.

SUNDAY: Mostly cloudy with a chance of snow showers early morning. Sun and passing clouds afternoon. Highs 35-42. Wind NW 10-20 MPH.

SUNDAY NIGHT: Clearing. Lows 18-25. Wind NW 5-15 MPH, higher gusts.

MONDAY: Sun and passing clouds. Highs 37-44. Wind NW 10-20 MPH, gusty.

MONDAY NIGHT: Clouds increase. Lows 25-32. Wind NW 5-15 MPH.

TUESDAY: Cloudy with period of snow except rain or snow in coastal areas. Highs 36-43. Wind variable 5-15 MPH.

DAYS 6-10 (MARCH 8-12)

Overall set-up features low pressure east of New England and high pressure from Canada to the Midwest until mid period with a generally dry and chilly northwesterly air flow. Low to the east departs opening the door for a possible storm system to impact our region on the March 11-12 weekend with a more widespread precipitation potential.

DAYS 11-15 (MARCH 13-17)

During the final full week of winter, expect near to below normal temperatures and the need to watch for one or two potential systems that can bring some frozen precipitation to the region. Obviously far too soon for any attempt at detailing these potential events.

DAYS 1-5 (MARCH 2-6)

The very active pattern goes on, but light is at the end of the tunnel (or at the end of the 5-day)! First, low pressure sliding northeastward through the Ohio Valley toward the interior Northeast will redevelop just south and southeast of New England today before moving steadily and quickly seaward. This system brings a swath of rainfall to our region with an atmosphere too mild to support snow, but surface temperatures cold enough so that some of that rain will be in the form of freezing rain from the Worcester Hills to the Monadnock region of southwestern NH – so use extra caution if traveling in those areas. Temperatures will rise above freezing in these areas around mid morning, putting an end to any icing. Rainfall exits our region later this morning and we have a drying trend from midday on, with the potential for some breaks of sun before day’s end. A sliver of high pressure brings dry weather tonight into Friday, but clouds will already be streaming in quickly on Friday ahead of our next storm. When all is said and done, this low pressure system will behave similarly to our last couple more important storm systems, with a primary low heading for the Great Lakes and redeveloping to move out just south of New England. But as has been the case all winter and even with a more recent pattern change to slightly colder, we don’t have quite the setup for just a snow event, so there will be a variety of precipitation, with most snow to the north and far less to the south where more rain will be involved. The rain-snow line is a little tricky with this, with even at this stage some significant differences in guidance, but I’m not really changing my initial idea from yesterday, which will be reflected in my snowfall amounts in the detailed forecast). Steadiest precipitation window is 12 hours – midnight Friday night to noon Saturday. As slightly colder air overtakes the region behind the storm, a period of scattered snow showers will be with us from Saturday afternoon through Sunday morning as an inverted trough of low pressure (basically the remains of the primary low pressure area) swings through our region from northwest to southeast. The next phase of our late winter pattern emerges Monday with low pressure to the east, high pressure to the west, and a drier but chilly northwesterly air flow.

TODAY: Overcast this morning with rain likely (some freezing rain in portions of north central MA to southwestern NH for a while early), tapering off by late morning. Mostly cloudy this afternoon but a few breaks of sun are possible before the end of the day. Highs 40-47. Wind variable up to 10 MPH becoming NW 5-15 MPH later in the day.

TONIGHT: Clearing. Lows 18-25. Wind NW 5-15 MPH, higher gusts.

FRIDAY: Increasing clouds. Highs 36-43. Wind N-NE up to 10 MPH.

FRIDAY NIGHT: Overcast. Snow arrives west to east but mixed with sleet/rain South Coast which then advances north toward I-90 overnight. Lows 28-35. Wind NE to E 5-15 MPH, higher gusts.

SATURDAY: Overcast through midday with snow southern NH and far northern MA, snow and sleet possibly mixed with rain Cape Ann MA down 128 to I-90 belt, and some mix but mostly rain to the south. Expected snow accumulation from little or nothing along the South Coast to a coating to 2 inches just away from immediate South Coast to the MA South Shore, 2-4 inches Boston (maybe under 2 Logan Airport) to Cape Ann MA westward along the I-90 belt, 4-8 inches interior northeastern MA through central and north central MA northward through southern NH except possibly under 4 inches at the NH Seacoast. Mostly cloudy with lingering snow showers during the afternoon. Highs 31-38. Wind E-NE 5-15 MPH, higher gusts.

SATURDAY NIGHT: Mostly cloudy. Chance of snow showers. Lows 25-32. Wind N 5-15 MPH.

SUNDAY: Mostly cloudy with a chance of snow showers during the morning. Partly sunny in the afternoon. Highs 35-42. Wind NW 10-20 MPH.

SUNDAY NIGHT: Clearing. Lows 18-25. Wind NW 5-15 MPH, higher gusts.

MONDAY: Sun and passing clouds. Highs 37-44. Wind NW 10-20 MPH, gusty.

DAYS 6-10 (MARCH 7-11)

Overall set-up features low pressure east of New England and high pressure from Canada to the Midwest through at least mid period with a generally dry and chilly northwesterly air flow, but not immune to a disturbance or two bringing a few snow showers. Pattern may relax enough to allow the next low pressure system from the west to approach by the end of the period.

DAYS 11-15 (MARCH 12-16)

Return to unsettled pattern for mid March including some lingering threats of wintry precipitation. Temperatures near to below normal.

DAYS 1-5 (MARCH 1-5)

February hands off its active pattern to March which will carry it well over its first several days. First, a weak area of high pressure brings bright and dry weather to our region early today, but clouds will quickly move in as a low pressure disturbance approaches from the west later in the day. This system will bring a period of precipitation tonight, mainly rain that may start as snow in some areas, especially in northern MA northward. It moves out quickly later this evening, but on its heels is another low center destined to pass just to our north during Thursday morning and midday. As it drags a frontal boundary through, a new low center will try forming on that, but with the system moving along, the wet weather it brings to us will be exiting during the afternoon as drier air arrives with its departure. But this break won’t be lasting all that long either as the next storm system in line will be heading our way for later Friday into the weekend. How I believe this one will play out looks somewhat similar to the last 2 larger systems we’ve had – low pressure heading for the Great Lakes but redeveloping and moving out just to the south of New England. There will be a cold high pressure in place to the north, but the temperature profile for the storm will be somewhat marginal, and the low’s track will help determine where we see frozen vs. liquid precipitation and any combination of the two. Will try to lock this in a bit more next update. Timing for the system is late Friday (likely evening precipitation onset) through Saturday morning for steadiest precipitation, then a tapering off later Saturday and occasional showers of mainly snow possible through Sunday as a trough of low pressure lingers behind the departing storm.

TODAY: Watch for black ice on untreated surfaces until mid morning! Sunshine followed by clouds. Highs 37-44. Wind W up to 10 MPH becoming variable.,

TONIGHT: Mostly cloudy with some evening rain, may start as snow in some areas especially north and west of Boston. Lows 30-37 early, rising slightly overnight. Wind variable up to 10 MPH becoming SE.

THURSDAY: Mostly cloudy. Periods of rain in the morning and midday, with pockets of freezing rain possible well north and west of Boston early. Highs 40-47. Wind variable up to 10 MPH becoming NW 5-15 MPH later in the day.

THURSDAY NIGHT: Clearing. Lows 18-25. Wind NW 5-15 MPH, higher gusts.

FRIDAY: Increasing clouds. Highs 36-43. Wind N-NE up to 10 MPH.

FRIDAY NIGHT: Overcast with snow/mix north, mix/ rain south. Lows 28-35. Wind NE to E 5-15 MPH, higher gusts.

SATURDAY: Overcast with snow/mix north, snow/mix/rain south, steadiest in the morning. Early call snowfall potential – 4+ inches southern NH and northern MA, 2+ inches southern MA through northeastern CT and northern RI, under 2 inches South Coast. Highs 31-38. Wind E-NE 5-15 MPH, higher gusts.

SATURDAY NIGHT: Mostly cloudy. Chance of snow showers. Lows 25-32. Wind N 5-15 MPH.

SUNDAY: Mostly cloudy. Chance of snow or rain showers. Highs 35-42. Wind NW 10-20 MPH.

DAYS 6-10 (MARCH 6-10)

Overall northwesterly air flow with chilly weather and a drier trend, but one or two disturbance can bring some mainly snow showers at times.

DAYS 11-15 (MARCH 11-15)

Chilly regime continues with a more important storm threat possible heading toward mid month.

DAYS 1-5 (FEBRUARY 28 – MARCH 4)

A minor to moderate winter storm is in progress and will continue most of the day today on this final day of February. Its greatest impact in terms of snowfall takes place southwest and west of Boston where it snowed longest during dark hours, and also heaviest as the initial band of snow was strongest – starting to weaken and break up gradually while heading northeastward as the system producing it weakens gradually and gives way to a new low to the south. That low will head eastward and keep the precipitation going for much of the day, albeit somewhat limited by daylight and lack of intensity, but we’ll continue to slowly add to the accumulation as the day goes on bringing the region generally into the predicted ranges, again favoring the lower sides of those ranges in some areas, especially to the east and northeast where the snow arrived latest and did not have the initial intensity seen to the southwest. The system exits tonight and the rest of the forecast looks on track as well. March arrives with fair weather to start Wednesday, but a disturbance will return clouds to the region later in the day with a burst of rain showers by evening, that may start as snow showers in some areas especially northwest of Boston. This will be as a warm front approaches and passes. Then the frontal boundary sinks back through the region slowly during Thursday as low pressure rides along it, but milder air in place with this system means rain instead of snow. A quick return to colder air as this exits on Thursday evening, and then we watch our next winter storm threat later Friday into Saturday as low pressure heads this way. The track of that storm will help determine the precipitation profile for our region, but at the moment I am leaning toward a track just to the south of our region with enough cold air in place for frozen precipitation (snow and sleet) in much of the area for the event, but we’ll have to watch for freezing rain and/or rain to be involved, especially to the south.

TODAY: Overcast. Snow likely, may mix with or change to rain/drizzle South Coast, Cape Cod, and possibly Cape Ann MA in the afternoon before tapering off. Snowfall accumulations 1-3 inches South Coast / Cape Cod as well as Cape Ann MA, 3-5 inches MA South Shore, inland eastern RI, remainder of MA North Shore, I-95 belt, 5-8 inches interior southern NH, central MA, and northeastern CT and interior western RI. Highs 30-37. Wind NE 5-15 MPH.

TONIGHT: An early snow flurry north and west and a bit of drizzle south and east possible otherwise clearing. Lows 20-27. Wind NW 5-15 MPH.

WEDNESDAY: Sun gives way to clouds. Highs 37-44. Wind W 5-15 MPH.

WEDNESDAY NIGHT: Mostly cloudy with some rain, may start as snow in some areas. Lows 30-37 early, rising slightly overnight. Wind variable up to 10 MPH becoming SW 5-15 MPH.

THURSDAY: Mostly cloudy. Rain showers likely, ending later in the day. Highs 40-47. Wind SW 5-15 MPH becoming variable to N, then NW 10-20 MPH with higher gusts late in the day.

THURSDAY NIGHT: Clearing. Lows 18-25. Wind NW 5-15 MPH, higher gusts.

FRIDAY: Increasing clouds. Chance of snow/mix late day. Highs 30-37. Wind N-NE up to 10 MPH.

FRIDAY NIGHT: Overcast with snow/mix likely. Lows 26-33. Wind NE 10-20 MPH.

SATURDAY: Snow/mix tapering off. Highs 30-37. Wind NE-N 5-15 MPH.

DAYS 6-10 (MARCH 5-9)

Watching the March 6-8 period for potential unsettled weather from one or two systems which may include additional frozen precipitation. Temperatures near to below normal.

DAYS 11-15 (MARCH 10-14)

General idea is for continued colder than normal but a little less frequent storm activity, though still some wintry precipitation threat before the period is over.

DAYS 1-5 (FEBRUARY 27 – MARCH 3)

A minor to moderate winter storm is inbound, and will impact us late tonight through Tuesday after a small area of high pressure starts us with fair weather today. Low pressure heads into the Great Lakes and its center elongates, a pathway to a new developing low that will then track eastward just to the south of New England during Tuesday. This will bring a light to moderate snowfall to our region, with enough warm air involved for some mixing with or turning to rain along the South Coast, and possibly South Shore up toward Boston toward the end of the event, after most of the snow accumulation has occurred. The storm exits Tuesday night and we clear out. Say hello to March on Wednesday with a small area of high pressure and fair weather, but this gets scooted along quickly by an approaching warm front which will bring clouds back and some evening precipitation (probably snow or mix to rain). Unsettled weather will be ours on Thursday as the low parenting the warm front will track just to our north, putting us on the mild side initially, then pulling its cold front through during the day with rain showers, and eventually a return to colder/drier weather by evening. Another weak area of high pressure will move across the region by early Friday, a day that starts dry and cold, but more clouds will be streaming into the region ahead of the next storm in our active pattern. This system may be moving quickly enough so that we are into its precipitation shield as early as Friday late afternoon or evening, but this timing will be monitored and refined as the week goes along…

TODAY: Patchy clouds early, then lots of sun during the morning. Sunshine fading behind increasing high to middle cloudiness during the afternoon. Highs 33-40. Wind variable up to 10 MPH.

TONIGHT: Overcast. Snow arrives late evening and overnight. Lows 22-29. Wind NE 5-15 MPH.

TUESDAY: Overcast. Snow likely, may mix with or change to rain/drizzle South Coast, Cape Cod, and possibly Cape Ann MA in the afternoon before tapering off. Snowfall accumulations 1-3 inches South Coast / Cape Cod as well as Cape Ann MA, 3-5 inches MA South Shore, inland eastern RI, remainder of MA North Shore, I-95 belt, 5-8 inches interior southern NH, central MA, and northeastern CT and interior western RI. Highs 30-37. Wind NE 5-15 MPH.

TUESDAY NIGHT: An early snow flurry possible otherwise clearing. Lows 20-27. Wind NW 5-15 MPH.

WEDNESDAY: Sun gives way to clouds. Highs 37-44. Wind W 5-15 MPH.

WEDNESDAY NIGHT: Mostly cloudy with some rain, may start as snow in some areas. Lows 30-37 early, rising slightly overnight. Wind variable up to 10 MPH becoming SW 5-15 MPH.

THURSDAY: Mostly cloudy. Rain showers likely, ending later in the day. Highs 40-47. Wind SW 5-15 MPH becoming variable to N, then NW 10-20 MPH with higher gusts late in the day.

THURSDAY NIGHT: Clearing. Lows 18-25. Wind NW 5-15 MPH, higher gusts.

FRIDAY: Increasing clouds. Chance of snow/mix late day or night. Highs 30-37. Wind N-NE up to 10 MPH.

DAYS 6-10 (MARCH 4-8)

Active pattern – watching low pressure areas to bring potential wintry precipitation threats March 4 and 6-7. Temperatures near to below normal.

DAYS 11-15 (MARCH 9-13)

General idea is for continued colder than normal but a drier, less active pattern in terms of storm threats.

DAYS 1-5 (FEBRUARY 26 – MARCH 2)

For those awake last evening in a good portion of the region you may have been witness to a beautiful and somewhat rare style of snowfall in this area. Now rare and snowfall has been used together this winter several times because of the lack of snowfalls in a very mild, nearly snowless winter pattern, but this is a different kind of rare snowfall – perfect hexagonal snowflakes falling in calm air from a sky that includes some clearing enough at one point to see the moon, Venus, and Jupiter shining brightly before they set. So both rare and a bit unique. This was the end portion of a snowfall event that even slightly over-performed model and meteorologist expectations, dropping a good 1/2 to 2 inches of low water content fluff over much of the region. This was due to relatively warmer air riding up and over a cold dome of air in place and the recipe was just there for it all to happen that way. This morning, a low level inversion results in some very spotty freezing and/or frozen drizzle, then later today, we may see some additional flakes from a passing low pressure area, the center of which will scoot just north of the region this afternoon, allowing us to warm up a little over yesterday’s chill. This system won’t produce much other than a rain or snow shower to the south, with most of the snow shower activity concentrated to the north of I-90. A few of these showers of snow may put down a quick new coating, briefly slicking up some roads and walks. The system is outta here this evening and a small area of high pressure will then build in overnight into Monday with dry weather. We’ll see clouds advancing during Monday, thickening up later in the day, ahead of a well-advertised winter storm system approaching. This one is going to be a light to moderate snowfall for our region. Model guidance tends to under-estimate the scope of the cold air hanging on with these systems, so I expect this to be a mainly snow event for the WHW forecast area, beginning late Monday night and lasting well into Tuesday, with just some potential for rain to become involved right on the South Coast / Cape Cod before the main precipitation ends Tuesday afternoon. The system won’t have much wind with it for our area as we will be between a primary low that travels into the Great Lakes and a secondary low that forms and moves out south of New England, with not that expansive a circulation, kind of an elongated system, stretched west-to-east. Exit this system Tuesday night, and in builds a small area of high pressure to bring fair weather for the first day of March. But the active pattern will roll on and another low pressure system will impact our region Thursday. Early indications are that this one is destined to have milder air in place for its arrival and take a track a little further north, with a mix/rain event more in the cards versus a snowy one, but at day 5 I’m not ready to lock that idea in just yet, so we’ll see how it goes.

TODAY: Mostly cloudy. Spotty freezing/frozen drizzle this morning. Chance of snow showers north of I-90 and a possible mix/rain shower I-90 belt south in the afternoon. Highs 33-40. Wind calm early, then SW-S 5-15 MPH.

TONIGHT: Clearing. Lows 20-27. Wind NW 5-15 MPH.

MONDAY: Sunshine followed by increasing clouds. Highs 35-42. Wind variable up to 10 MPH.

MONDAY NIGHT: Overcast. Snow arrives late evening and overnight. Lows 22-29. Wind NE 5-15 MPH.

TUESDAY: Overcast. Snow likely, may mix with rain before ending South Coast. Snowfall accumulations 1-3 inches South Coast / Cape Cod, 3-5 inches MA South Shore, inland RI, MA North Shore, I-95 belt, 5-8 inches interior southern NH, central MA, and northeastern CT. Higher probability for the lower sides of the ranges to verify than the upper sides. Highs 30-37. Wind NE 5-15 MPH.

TUESDAY NIGHT: An early snow flurry possible otherwise clearing. Lows 20-27. Wind NW 5-15 MPH.

WEDNESDAY: Sun/cloud mix. Highs 37-44. Wind W 5-15 MPH.

WEDNESDAY NIGHT: Clouds increase. Lows 30-37. Wind variable up to 10 MPH.

THURSDAY: Mostly cloudy. Chance of rain/mix. Highs 40-47. Wind SE 5-15 MPH.

DAYS 6-10 (MARCH 3-7)

Active pattern – watching low pressure areas to bring potential wintry precipitation threats March 4 and 6-7. Temperatures near to below normal.

DAYS 11-15 (MARCH 8-12)

General idea is for continued colder than normal but a drier, less active pattern in terms of storm threats.

DAYS 1-5 (FEBRUARY 25 – MARCH 1)

We’ll have a couple of disturbances moving through this weekend with “minor” unsettled weather. The first one moves through from the west today with lots of clouds and eventually a couple areas of light snow, but no real accumulation expected other than maybe a brief coating here and there. The next system comes through from northwest to southeast on Sunday, with a low center passing just to our north. It’ll be a slightly milder day than today but still cold enough to support mostly snow showers, this time favoring areas north of I-90, again with minor accumulation at most. High pressure moves in Sunday night and Monday with fair weather. And then comes low pressure to impact the region with a winter storm threat. Primary low pressure moves into the Great Lakes via the Chicago area. Similar to the system earlier this week, this one will feature elongated low pressure and a redevelopment south of New England, moving eastward from there. With the primary low staying pretty much intact, we may be stuck a little bit in a no man’s land between the two low centers, which can result in lighter overall precipitation. That’s one scenario. Another is that the newer low is close enough to produce heavier bands of precipitation (likely snow) over portions of the region. So there’s definitely a good possibility of some decent snowfall amounts with that system. There may be a rain/snow line involved as well, which will be determined and fine-tuned. This system will wind down and move out later Tuesday and we’re currently looking at a small area of high pressure to bring March in with dry weather on Wednesday.

TODAY: Mostly cloudy. Chance of light snow midday to mid afternoon west, mid to late afternoon further east – minor accumulation possible. Highs 21-28. Wind NW up to 10 MPH becoming variable.

TONIGHT: Variably cloudy. Lows 11-18 early, rising slightly overnight. Wind variable up to 10 MPH becoming SW.

SUNDAY: Partly sunny to mostly cloudy. Chance of snow showers north of I-90 and a possible mix/rain shower I-90 belt south in the afternoon. Highs 33-40. Wind SW-S 5-15 MPH.

SUNDAY NIGHT: Clearing. Lows 20-27. Wind NW 5-15 MPH.

MONDAY: Sunshine followed by increasing clouds. Highs 35-42. Wind variable up to 10 MPH.

MONDAY NIGHT: Overcast. Snow arrives. Lows 22-29. Wind NE 5-15 MPH.

TUESDAY: Overcast. Good chance of snow, but may be mixed precipitation and/or rain is possible to the south. Highs 30-37. Wind NE 10-20 MPH.

TUESDAY NIGHT: Precipitation ends, clouds break. Lows 20-27. Wind NW 5-15 MPH.

WEDNESDAY: Sun/cloud mix. Highs 37-44. Wind W 5-15 MPH.

DAYS 6-10 (MARCH 2-6)

Active pattern – watching low pressure areas to bring potential wintry precipitation threats March 2, 4, and 6. Temperatures near to below normal.

DAYS 11-15 (MARCH 7-11)

Additional unsettled weather early in the period then a drying trend indicated with a northwesterly air flow overtaking the northeastern US. Temperatures near to below normal.

COMMENTARY

These final 5 days of February will remind many people why you don’t “call winter off” early. None of us have the “authority” to do that, based on the winter so far. Our individual perceptions may differ, but the fact remains, winter doesn’t end before it ends, and even the best forecasters can’t see far enough into the future to guarantee such a silly notion beyond a week or so, let alone a couple months. We best leave that to mother nature to decide. She’s been doing a pretty decent job at it since before we around watching. 😉

DAYS 1-5 (FEBRUARY 24-28)

Speaking of the final 5 days of February. Here they come! And they start out fairly harsh. Yesterday’s messy system was followed by a brief shower of freezing rain for many areas last night, even with thunder in some areas! A quick coating of glaze occurred with the passage of these where it was cold enough, and many areas have icy ground to start the day. We did see a bit of a temperature rise overnight though, helping to loosen up the ice and melt it a bit in many portions of the I-95 belt and southeastward, but off to the northwest it has stayed colder. The warmest part of the day is now, and soon, as a cold front goes by, the temperature will fall during the day, into the 20s in areas that are in the 30s, and through the 20s in areas that are already in the 20s, along with a pretty decent wind. Other than a brief snow shower possible with the front’s passing, expect dry weather during today. Tonight’s a cold one – single digit low temperature for most along with below zero wind chill, so bundle up for biting air and beware again of icy areas underfoot! The weekend features ok weather, but slightly unsettled. While it’s coldest Saturday and a bit milder Sunday, both days carry precipitation chances – with a few afternoon snow shower possible as a disturbance moves through the region Saturday afternoon, and a few snow showers (maybe rain showers toward the South Coast) on Sunday afternoon as a weak low pressure system moves quickly through the region. Then our attention turns to the potential winter storm early next week. Monday is “set-up” day behind the Sunday system as high pressure builds in with dry, chilly weather but increasing clouds. We’ve seen our guidance go from painting a picture of a blockbuster snow to a more “ordinary” one during the last several runs regarding the Monday night / Tuesday threat. I will say that it is the best opportunity we’ve had so far this winter of widespread snowfall, but that we still have some details to work out. An initial low is likely to move somewhere into the Great Lakes region, and its elongation and redevelopment details are going to determine what we end up with. There are still several scenarios on the table regarding the detailed outcome, so for now the wording for the day-5 forecast will be generic, and there will be a long period of fine tuning ahead over the next few days…

TODAY: Early to mid morning clouds with a passing snow shower possible, then mostly sunny. Highs 28-35 early, then falling into and through the 20s. Wind NW increasing to 15-25 MPH with higher gusts.

TONIGHT: Clear. Lows 3-10. Wind NW 15-25 MPH early, diminishing overnight. Wind chill below zero especially evening.

SATURDAY: Sunniest early, then lots of clouds with intervals of sunshine. Scattered snow showers midday-afternoon. Highs 21-28. Wind NW 5-15 MPH.

SATURDAY NIGHT: Partly cloudy. Lows 10-17 evening, may rise slightly overnight. Wind SW up to 10 MPH.

SUNDAY: Becoming mostly cloudy. Chance of snow showers north, mix/rain shower south in the afternoon. Highs 32-39. Wind variable 5-15 MPH.

SUNDAY NIGHT: Clearing. Lows 20-27. Wind NW 5-15 MPH.

MONDAY: Sunshine followed by increasing clouds. Highs 35-42. Wind variable up to 10 MPH.

MONDAY NIGHT: Overcast. Snow arrives. Lows 22-29. Wind NE 5-15 MPH.

TUESDAY: Overcast. Good chance of snow, but may be mixed precipitation to the south. Highs 30-37. Wind NE 10-20 MPH.

DAYS 6-10 (MARCH 1-5)

Active pattern – watching low pressure areas to bring potential wintry precipitation threats March 2 and 4. Temperatures near to below normal.

DAYS 11-15 (MARCH 6-10)

Additional unsettled weather including another precipitation threat around the March 6-8 window. Temperatures near to below normal.

DAYS 1-5 (FEBRUARY 23-27)

We’re in the midst of a drawn-out period of unsettled weather. First was a burst of snow to sleet, some freezing rain (except South Coast rain where it was milder), as a warm front tried to push into the region. The snow area held on longer with a weaker warm intrusion aloft, and allowed a bit more in the way of accumulation further east (inside I-95) to the north of I-90. This frontal boundary doesn’t really make it far, and it just ends up heading back to the south today anyway as surface cold air drains down from the north behind an initial weak wave of low pressure that passed by here. Next comes the frozen / freezing drizzle that will occur today due to a low level inversion – cold air with a light northeasterly air flow trapped below a warmer southeasterly air flow not too far above that, which keeps the moisture trapped near the ground and results in little droplets of water – liquid that freezes on contact with surfaces, or just frozen and falls as little ice grains. We’ll still have some episodic bursts of snow and sleet to the north, sleet and freezing rain south, and non-freezing rain (well south). With most main surfaces treated, we shouldn’t see too much trouble on the roads, but any untreated walkways and stairways, etc., can be slick, so use caution if you have to be out there. The next phase comes as another low pressure wave and frontal boundary push through from west to east this evening, with a little more substantial precipitation – mainly sleet and some snow in southern NH and northern MA, freezing rain to the south, but again with temperatures probably just above freezing it may be just liquid rain right along the South Coast. This batch of precipitation skedaddles pretty quickly overnight and an arctic cold front will be coming through on Friday, possibly accompanied by a snow shower or snow squall. Luckily, a gusty wind and very low dew point will help surfaces dry off without too much icing, but any areas that don’t dry off will quickly ice over if they are not already frozen, as we see a temperature drop during the day. While this arctic shot will be tame in comparison to the one on February 3-4, you’ll still feel it, especially Friday night, with temperatures dipping to the single digits above zero, but wind chill readings going well below zero with the help of a busy northwesterly wind. While the breeze keeps up somewhat into Saturday, it will not be as strong or gusty, and with at least partial sun shining from a higher angle, despite temperatures being well below normal for highs, it will feel somewhat more tolerable to be outside. We’ll have to watch for some snow showers to traverse the region Saturday afternoon though as a disturbance comes through in the northwesterly air flow. Temperatures moderate on Sunday, back to about normal levels, and a weak clipper low will move quickly through the region during the afternoon and evening hours with a round or two of precipitation probable, most likely falling as snow, but possibly some mix/rain toward the South Coast, depending on the magnitude of the temperature moderation that day. In its wake, we’ll have a fair and seasonably chilly day on Monday, but clouds will already be on the increase before the day is over ahead of the next storm system in a continued active weather pattern…

TODAY: Cloudy. Freezing and/or frozen drizzle. Periods of snow/sleet north, sleet/freezing rain south with rain well south. Temperatures fall slightly to 26-33. Wind NE to N up to 10 MPH.

TONIGHT: Overcast. A period of sleet and freezing rain, maybe just rain immediate coast, and may mix with snow higher elevations southwestern NH to north central MA with a minor accumulation (coating). Temperatures rise slightly to 28-35. Wind variable up to 10 MPH.

FRIDAY: Early to mid morning clouds with a passing snow shower possible, then mostly sunny. Highs 30-37 early, then falling into and through the 20s. Wind N-NW increasing to 15-25 MPH with higher gusts.

FRIDAY NIGHT: Clear. Lows 4-11. Wind NW 15-25 MPH early, diminishing overnight. Wind chill below zero especially evening.

SATURDAY: Sunniest early, then lots of clouds with intervals of sunshine. Scattered snow showers midday-afternoon. Highs 21-28. Wind NW 5-15 MPH.

SATURDAY NIGHT: Partly cloudy. Lows 15-22. Wind SW up to 10 MPH.

SUNDAY: Becoming mostly cloudy. Chance of snow/mix/rain midday on. Highs 30-37. Wind variable 5-15 MPH.

SUNDAY NIGHT: Clearing. Lows 20-27. Wind NW 5-15 MPH.

MONDAY: Sunshine followed by increasing clouds. Highs 35-42. Wind variable up to 10 MPH.

DAYS 6-10 (FEBRUARY 28 – MARCH 4)

Active pattern – watching low pressure areas to bring potential wintry precipitation threats February 28, March 2, and March 4. Temperatures near to below normal.

DAYS 11-15 (MARCH 5-9)

Additional unsettled weather including another precipitation threat around the March 6-8 window. Temperatures near to below normal.

DAYS 1-5 (FEBRUARY 22-26)

Take a breath. The sun shines this morning for a while, but we have a lot of “weather” on the way and many details to pin down in the coming days, and we get to work quickly. After a small area of high pressure departs, clouds come racing in ahead of a warm front, parented by an approaching low pressure area. While the surface front never has a chance to get very far north into New England – maybe just inland of the South Coast early Thursday, it warms significantly above us, so that precipitation that starts off as snow for much of the region this evening (except mix/rain South Coast) turns to sleet and rain, but that rain will be freezing rain where surface temperatures are cold enough, especially west and north of I-95. While the main area of precipitation exits with the initial low pressure wave moving along or just south of the South Coast early on Thursday, the surface boundary will actually sink southward and temperatures trend downward during the day. Low level moisture behind that low pressure wave means that frozen drizzle and freezing drizzle is possible anywhere the temperature is below the freezing point – which will be pretty much everywhere except the immediate coastline, so watch for slick travel / walking on untreated surfaces even without much precipitation occurring during Thursday, especially if it’s freezing drizzle which would produce a glaze (where frozen drizzle would not as it is essentially miniature sleet. A second low pressure wave comes along Thursday evening and night with another episode or two of precipitation, likely freezing rain and/or sleet except maybe just rain if temperatures hang above freezing near the coast. But it’s wise to plan for slick spot potential even here if temperatures are marginal because just a degree or two can make a difference between your foot meeting a wet stairway/walkway or an icy one. After wave number 2 exits, an arctic cold front goes through on Friday, maybe with a snow shower or two, and like Thursday, the temperature drops during the day, but more dramatically, along with an increasing northwesterly wind. This cold shot peaks Friday night, similar in timing but far less in magnitude than the one just 2 weeks prior. However, it’s still enough that wind chills will plunge to below zero with air temperatures getting into the single digits, so if you do have Friday night outdoor plans, be ready for that. Saturday will be a cold day as well, but with a bit less wind, and at least some sun, higher in angle this time of year, so it won’t feel as cold as the same air mass would in January. Some instability may help to produce a few passing snow showers that day. Sunday, temperatures moderate a little, but a clipper-type low pressure system moves quickly in and through the area during the afternoon and evening with a period of wintry precipitation – mostly snow it appears, but warm enough for some sleet and rain toward the South Coast, depending on the specific temperature profile for exact precip-type. Will fine-tune the Sunday details over the next few days…

TODAY: Sunny start, cloudy finish. Highs 36-43. Wind N to NE up to 10 MPH.

TONIGHT: Overcast. Snow/sleet/ice/rain arrives early, tapers toward dawn. Snow/sleet accumulation of up to 1 inch I-95 belt, up to 2 inches north central MA to southwestern NH, and some icing conditions away from coastline. Lows 28-35. Wind N to NE 5-15 MPH.

THURSDAY: Cloudy. Areas of frozen drizzle and freezing drizzle (maybe not freezing along the shoreline). Temperatures fall slightly to 26-33. Wind NE to N up to 10 MPH.

THURSDAY NIGHT: Overcast. A period of sleet and freezing rain, maybe just rain immediate coast, and may mix with snow higher elevations southwestern NH to north central MA with a minor accumulation (coating). Temperatures rise slightly to 28-35. Wind variable up to 10 MPH.

FRIDAY: Mostly cloudy to partly sunny with scattered to isolated snow showers. Temperatures steady 27-34 early, then falling to 15-22 by late-day. Wind N-NW increasing to 15-25 MPH with higher gusts.

FRIDAY NIGHT: Clearing. Lows 5-12. Wind NW 15-25 MPH early, diminishing overnight. Wind chill below zero especially evening.

SATURDAY: Sunniest early, then lots of clouds with intervals of sunshine. Scattered snow showers midday-afternoon. Highs 22-29. Wind NW 5-15 MPH.

SATURDAY NIGHT: Partly cloudy. Lows 15-22. Wind SW up to 10 MPH.

SUNDAY: Becoming mostly cloudy. Chance of snow/mix/rain midday on. Highs 30-37. Wind variable 5-15 MPH.

DAYS 6-10 (FEBRUARY 27 – MARCH 3)

Active pattern – watching low pressure areas to bring potential wintry precipitation threats around February 28 and March 2. Temperatures near to below normal.

DAYS 11-15 (MARCH 4-8)

Additional unsettled weather including wintry precipitation opportunities around March 4 and March 6-7. Temperatures near to below normal.