10:45PM
As we get ready to close out February and one of the mildest, least-snowy Meteorological Winters we’ve ever seen, and begin March, we’ll see several weather changes, which should be expected in this part of the country at this time of the year. The question is, will we see any significant snowfall? Many say “yes”. At this point, I say “not so fast”. As has been the case with most threatening systems this winter, I have my doubts that this one will come together in the right place at the right time to produce a widespread appreciable snowfall. However, the fact that this is a threat we are looking at for the Wednesday/Thursday time frame, a lot can change, and initially we will just give thoughts on how we think it could break down. Then as the time period draws closer, we’ll try to nail it down better.
Before we have to deal with whatever midweek brings, there will be a low pressure area cruising west to east across the US/Canadian border of VT/NH and then across Maine late Monday and Monday night. This will bring clouds into southern New England and possibly a band of light rain showers Monday evening, as temperatures will have moderated significantly during the day Monday.
High pressure will build across the region, centered to the north, on Tuesday, bringing dry and only slightly cooler weather. Slightly colder air will filter in Tuesday night into Wednesday, and at the same time a new low pressure system will be approaching from the west. The early indications for this is that it will come in 2 parts, the first bringing a chance of snow late Wednesday, with the greatest chance being the further south you go in southern New England. A second batch of precipitation is expected on Thursday with the main low pressure area. It is really too early to tell what the impact will be, but a very early feeling is that it may be fast-moving, disorganized, and arrive at the time of marginal temperatures, so I will remain very reserved on calling for a chance of plowable snow, a practice generally not wise this far out even in a more clear-cut situation. Please check back on this.
Another storm at the very end of the week (probably Saturday) should travel to our north, bring warm air with it, and a chance of rain.
Forecast for eastern MA, southern NH, and RI…
OVERNIGHT: Some high clouds otherwise mostly clear. Low ranging from near 15 in the deep valleys to near 30 along the immediate shore, with most areas in the 20s. Wind W under 10 MPH.
MONDAY: Clouds increasing, may lead to a shower of rain well west of Boston by late day. High 44-49. Wind SW increasing to 10-20 MPH with gusts around 25 MPH.
MONDAY NIGHT: Lots of clouds and a few rain showers crossing the region early, followed by clearing. Low 30-35. Wind W 10-20 MPH.
TUESDAY: Mostly sunny. High 40-45. Wind NW 5-15 MPH.
WEDNESDAY: Increasing clouds. Chance of light snow especially southern MA and RI by late afternoon. Low 20. High 37.
THURSDAY: Cloudy. Periods of snow and mix. Low 30. High 38.
FRIDAY: Mostly cloudy. Low 30. High 38.
SATURDAY: Cloudy. PM rain. Low 33. High 44.
SUNDAY: Clearing. Low 22. High 39.