DAYS 1-5 (DECEMBER 14-18)
Low pressure passing by to our south today will begin to intensify but will start to pull away while doing so. This gives the region a glancing blow resulting in a light to borderline moderate snowfall, with highest accumulation of snow from Plymouth County MA to northern RI, and southward from there, although amounts may be slightly lower than the maximum totals due to some initial mixing with rain on Outer Cape Cod and Nantucket. We also have to watch for a wrap-around batch of snow showers, somewhat enhanced by the ocean, on the back side of the departing system. This can prolong the snow until later Sunday for eastern coastal areas. The timing is just a little slower for the ending, resulting in a slower start to the clearing trend following the storm. But it will clear out during Sunday night as a reinforcing shot of cold air arrives. This cold, along with a gusty wind, will make Monday a bit harsh. A disturbance coming quickly our way from the west northwest may bring a few snow showers to the region Monday night. The Tuesday through Thursday period will feature moderating temperatures and generally dry weather, although later on Thursday we’ll see increasing clouds and by night there can be some wet weather as we see a spike of warmer air arriving at that time, propelled our way by low pressure cutting through the Great Lakes.
TODAY: Overcast with snow through midday gradually tapering off from west to east thereafter – accumulations generally 1/2 to 2 inches except 2 to as much as 4 inches possible from the MA South Shore to South Coast regions. Highs 27-34, mildest Outer Cape Cod / Nantucket. Wind NE to N up to 10 MPH.
TONIGHT: Lingering clouds and possible early snow showers eastern areas, otherwise clearing west to east. Lows 12-19. Wind N to NW increasing to 10-20 MPH with higher gusts. Wind chill falls below 10.
MONDAY: Sunny start, then clouds return later. Highs 23-30. Wind NW 10-20 MPH, gusts 25-35 MPH. Wind chill below 20 at times.
MONDAY NIGHT: Mostly cloudy. Snow showers likely with some minor accumulation expected. Lows 13-20. Wind NW diminishing to under 10 MPH.
TUESDAY: Mostly sunny. Highs 31-38. Wind WNW 5-15 MPH.
TUESDAY NIGHT: Partly cloudy. Lows 15-22. Wind W up to 10 MPH.
WEDNESDAY: Partly sunny. Highs 36-43. Wind WSW 5-15 MPH.
WEDNESDAY NIGHT: Partly cloudy. Lows Lows 25-32. Wind SW 5-15 MPH.
THURSDAY: Partly to mostly cloudy. Highs 44-51. Wind SW 10-20 MPH.
DAYS 6-10 (DECEMBER 19-23)
Great Lakes cutter low pressure sends a brief surge of warmer air in right at the start of the period and a strong cold front trailing from the low brings a band of rain before cold air returns with lots of wind. December 20-21 weekend looks mostly tranquil and dry with seasonably chilly weather. A little more up-and-down temp swinging with a minor system bring rain/snow shower chance early next week – more precise timing TBD. The winter solstice occurs at 10:03 a.m. EST on December 21.
DAYS 11-15 (DECEMBER 24-28)
The up-and-down temperature pattern continues but with a leaning toward the colder side overall. An additional episode or two of precipitation possible but early indications for no major storminess to occur, more overrunning type events with our region on the colder side of the boundary between Canadian cold and warmth to the south. This would favor frozen over liquid precipitation for our area.