Saturday March 23 2024 Forecast (9:03AM)

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DAYS 1-5 (MARCH 23-27)

An early spring storm, with some late winter attributes included, started to impact the region late last evening as a swath of snow overspread much of the region north of Interstate 90, with a coating to even an inch or two of accumulation of snow, greatest in the Route 2 Corridor west of Interstate 495. A coating of snow, and afterward some sleet, extended eastward into Boston’s northern suburbs. Some snow and sleet even occurred in the city of Boston as well. Cold air trapped near the surface has resulted in some of the precipitation remaining as sleet for a while, with most areas now rain, however surface temperatures at or just below freezing from around Worcester northward to southwestern New Hampshire has resulted in some slick spots there with freezing rain. This hazard will be around through mid morning in the coldest valley areas before the temperature warms sufficiently to eliminate it. For the rest of us, it’s just rain, and rain will be the story for the region in general throughout the day today. However, the heaviest swath of rain is going to head through our region later this afternoon and very early this evening. This will take place as the center of the low pressure area responsible for the foul weather cuts right across southeastern New England. It looks like the center itself will pass over RI and southeastern MA between 7 p.m. and 11 p.m. The track of this system will determine some weather details as we go through the climax of the storm system. Fairly heavy rain should be widespread (1.5 to 3.5 inches for the region when it’s all done), and the heaviest band of rain just ahead of the low’s passage may also contain thunderstorms. Another aspect will be wind, which will be variable in the region as the storm approaches and especially as it passes by. Ahead of it, we’ll have a light to moderate northeast to east wind, shifting more southeast with time. As the low center cuts across the region, southeast winds will increase and be at their strongest over southeastern MA and RI, with some minor wind damage possible (and resultant power outages also possible). A more variable and lighter wind will be felt right under the low center as it goes by, with an easterly wind shifting to more northerly in locations that are west of the low’s track. These winds will not be quite as strong as the southerly winds on the other side of the track. But what will be going on on the back side of the system is the return of colder air, which may occur quickly enough to flip the rain back to sleet and/or snow briefly in areas north and northwest of Boston before it comes to an end. To the southeast, it will end as just rain. Behind this system, we dry out, but along the frontal boundary trailing southward from the departing low, we’ll see additional low pressure development, and it, combined with high pressure to our north, will create a gusty north to northeast wind for our region both Sunday and Monday, making the already chilly air feel a bit colder. Additionally, clouds may be stubborn to depart, especially in coastal areas, during both of those days. Tuesday and Wednesday will present a complex weather set-up, with clouds again dominant and another rainfall threat evolving during Tuesday and lasting through Wednesday. This will occur as offshore low pressure retrogrades and throws a swath of moisture back into our region, while at the same time another trough of low pressure approaches from the west and throws its own moisture at us. In other words, we’ll be right at the fence that these two systems meet up to chat about whose property we are, and that “conversation” may last a while once it begins…

TODAY: Overcast. Rain – pockets of freezing rain through mid morning Worcester Hills to Monadnock Region. Heavier rain more widespread late afternoon / evening including the chance of thunderstorms. Areas of fog. Highs 38-45 northwest of Boston-Providence corridor, 45-52 to the southeast, occurring late-day. Wind NE-E 5-15 MPH until midday, E-SE 10-20 MPH with higher gusts, strongest along the coast, much of the afternoon, then late afternoon and evening winds SE-S 15-25 MPH with gusts 35-50 MPH southeastern MA especially east of the Cape Cod Canal, variable 5-15 MPH but potentially higher gusts Providence-Boston region, and E-NE 10-20 MPH with higher gusts to the north and west.

TONIGHT: Overcast evening with rain ending, possibly as a mix/snow to the north and northwest of Boston. Breaking clouds overnight. Lows 32-39. Wind NE-N 10-20 MPH, higher gusts.

SUNDAY: Mostly cloudy to partly sunny. Highs 41-48. Wind N-NE 10-20 MPH, higher gusts, strongest along the coast.

SUNDAY NIGHT: Variably cloudy. Lows 30-37. Wind NE 10-20 MPH, gusty.

MONDAY: Partly sunny. Highs 38-45. Wind NE 10-20 MPH, gusty.

MONDAY NIGHT: Mostly cloudy. Lows 31-38. Wind NE 5-15 MPH, higher gusts.

TUESDAY: Cloudy. Chance of rain in the afternoon, favoring eastern areas. Highs 40-47. Wind E 10-20 MPH, strongest coast.

TUESDAY NIGHT & WEDNESDAY: Overcast. Periods of rain. Areas of fog. Temperatures rise slightly to 43-50. Wind E to variable 5-15 MPH.

DAYS 6-10 (MARCH 28 – APRIL 1)

Additional unsettled weather is expected into late next week, with a possible period of drier and brighter weather arriving for the March 30-31 weekend and maybe April 1 too. Temperatures below to near normal.

DAYS 11-15 (APRIL 2-6)

Additional unsettled weather threats and variable temperatures in an active early spring weather pattern. Not much changing here…

122 thoughts on “Saturday March 23 2024 Forecast (9:03AM)”

    1. Unless those skiers are staying locally, they are going to have a lot of trouble getting home later.

  5. Thank you TK, nice discussion today. I’m sitting at 32.2 degrees currently and have been sub freezing with rain since around 3:00am. We have a heavy glazing, enough so to cause some sagging of the pine tree branches.

    1. Temp should start to creep up soon.
      To be honest, the low level cold was just a little bit more impactful than I gave it forecast credit for.

      1. Yes it seems like in many of these cases the dense cold air can be very difficult to scour out. Ever so slowly creeping up now at 32.5. Paved surfaces are pretty much ice free.

  10. https://www.cbsnews.com/boston/news/headlight-brightness-safety-us-europe-led/?utm_campaign=true_anthem&utm_medium=social&utm_source=facebook&fbclid=IwAR2W8VCoOTaU7MpFUs069lRLvnolg4TZNdRHw5m0v3Vh62YOM-X_5_rW_Cg

    This can be weather-related in many cases. And you’re not dreaming, headlights are 4 times brighter, and in some illegal cases 12 times brighter.

    And is it any surprise that we’re 10 years behind Europe on this issue? NOT AT ALL. 🙂

    1. Thanks TK. I’ll read entire article in a bit. It has been a discussion we have had here. One of the main reasons I stopped driving at night is due to the led headlights. To be fair, part of the temporary blindness I experienced was due to cataracts. But i know younger folks also struggle. We also,don’t have street lights out here and roads are dark and winding.

      Yep…no surprise we are behind other countries. Mac often shook his head when we implemented a “new and improved” plan.

      1. My wife has Glaucoma and those LED lights just blind her totally. I can deal with them, but it is much more difficult
        to do so than the older traditional lights.
        It makes for a much tougher drive at night, no doubt about that.

  11. Finally to the end. Changing my sleep/waking hours from 9:30/6:00 to 1:00/9:30 means I have a lot of catch-up in the morning.

    Good comments all and great discussion TK. Thsnk you.

    Hadi and Weatherbee, you continue to be in my prayers

  13. Thanks TK! Great detailed discussion of a complex mess. Winter definitely putting in overtime hours in 2024

  14. I’ve been a bit slow in comments this week. Mom’s doing well since she came home Monday, but they did find a bit of pneumonia still there on an updated xray after a midweek doc appointment, but she’s staying home and we’re treating with meds here. Lots of rest for her. We are providing frequent check-ins and care. She wants to stay as independent as possible, so we’re finding that balance while she drags around a 40 foot oxygen line… She is finding a bit of humor in that though at least. 🙂

    Thoughts & prayers to all who need them!

    I’ve already made my weather commentary in today’s discussion, but if I have any new thoughts I’ll add them in the comments later. Have a great weekend. 🙂

    1. First, ignore the DM I sent you a few minutes ago. You answered my question here. You mom is a true Inspiration. I’m not at all surprised she is far happier being independent and she is blessed to have family who are making that possible. Back in 2019(?) I recall she had a tough pneumonia. And she beat it then as I am sure she will now. Hugs to you and your family and an extra big one for your mom. ❤️

      1. It’s all good. I answered you there anyway. 🙂 I can fire off text messages like nobody’s business, so an extra reply or 2 is no big deal. 🙂

      2. And yes I believe that was indeed 2019. She’s always had rough sinuses / respiratory system so when she gets such things it can be a chore to overcome it. But she’s doing ok considering! 🙂

  15. Hi Vicki,

    Hope you are feeling okay!

    And from I have read (and what TK said) things were somewhat better when we had halogen bulbs in cars. While LED lights have produced favorable outcomes in some ways, they have also created problems. The lumens exhibited by LED lights can be absolutely blinding.

  16. Thanks, TK. Great discussion. I guess no real warm weather in sight for awhile.

    Hoping your mom gets better soon. She seems like a strong person and as someone else said, with a strong family and friends, it makes all the difference.

    Also, whoever is not feeling well out there hope you feel better soon.

    I don’t like the LED lights, either. I have small cataracts and the halogen bulbs were better. We had some ice coatings on our bushes early this morning. Temp. is 34 here now.

  18. B’s down 1-0 against Flyers after the 2nd. To say the B’s play is lackluster would be generous!

  20. Teleconnections outlooks …..

    Slightly positive PNA and slightly to negative NAO into early April.

    Of course …..

    And the 12z runs of the gfs and euro look chilly into early April.

  22. Wouldn’t it be (pick your word of choice), if we didn’t see the April 8th eclipse because of SNOW !?!?!?

  23. Thanks TK.

    Plenty of snow up here and cold, been in the mid 20’s. Well over 8 inches and easily should be closing in on 12.

    1. That’s great you are getting some snow to enjoy in these difficult times. Thoughts and prayers for your MIL and family.

  24. Thanks TK.

    Pouring rain here with 1.33″ so far on the event.

    Just missed a huge late season snowstorm here in SNE. I have a co-worker who is in Saratoga this weekend and she just sent me this picture. They had received 10″ of snow last I checked.

    https://imgur.com/8CWHZir

  25. Upstate , NY, VT, NH, and ME getting crushed. And this following a week where many areas had accumulating snow almost every day.

    Stratton in southern VT is up to 20″ on the storm as of 2:30PM.

    Killington had reported 17″ of new snow as of 10:30AM this morning and it has been snowing hard since then. 36″ now in the past 7 days at Killington.

    Jay Peak had 38″ of new snow in the last 7 days coming into this storm, an additional 6-8″ new at last report this am and another foot on the way.

  31. I’m not a basketball fan, but I do find some of the stories from March Madness fun and amazing.

    In an impressive win for the Bulldogs, Yale beats Auburn in the 1st round of the NCAA basketball tournament. To get into the tournament, Yale had to beat Brown and did so by 1 point, 62-61. In the game against Auburn, Yale won by 2 points, 78-76.

    Of course, the biggest difference between Yale and Auburn is that Yale student athletes across all sports actually go to school (and usually for the duration of 4 years) and many graduate, unlike Auburn.

    What makes it a special moment for Bulldogs is the fact that their marching band couldn’t make the trip to Spokane, Washington. The University of Idaho’s band heard about it, learned the Yale fight song and supported them in their win over Auburn, all while wearing Yale t-shirts. Now that’s a terrific story.

  32. Very heavy rain here and 38F. 0.4″ alone in the last hour. Approaching 1.9″ on the storm.

    Can’t even imagine what we would have been dealing with if this thing tracked 100 miles SE. Would have been a widespread 1-2 feet of snow easy.

  33. If that area of torrential precipitation SE of Albany makes it into southern VT as all snow, going to be some very intense snow rates there in the next few hours before the storm exits.

      2. I am not sure. Can’t say I am too surprised though that there was some icing. The cold air hang tough. Didnt even make it out of the 30’s down here today and the snow is way over achieving up north.

  36. Thanks, TK!

    1.25″ and 50 degrees in Taunton.
    Going to check on the cellar and sump pump in a second.

  37. Down to 36F here with continued heavy rain. 0.50″ in the last hour and up to 2.40″ on the storm.

  39. I don’t know what we’ll get to for final totals, but the last 3 hrs have been impressive. Around .25-.4 per hour.

    So many heavy precip events and all that runs through my mind is Tonga.

  41. It’s been torrential here for the last 50 mins and it keeps regenerating over us. 41 here and 52 in Providence, warm front close by.

        1. Maybe another 45 min – 1 hr ??

          Have to get past that cold front, thin line in eastern CT.

          Then low should be north of you and precip should let up.

          Maybe another .5-1 inch ????

  43. Fascinating temp contrasts and northern New England has had a very cold, later March day.

    North Conway is 25F, Portland, ME is 30F.

    While well above feeezing, Boston has had a N wind all day. Much milder down here near or just above 50F.

    Tomorrow should be chilly in southern New England with a N wind off a deep northern New England snow cover.

  45. 55 here now with a wild SW wind and a squall line to our west that looks like it means business!

  46. What are you seeing, North?

    It looks like the heaviest is right over you and Mansfield.

    1. He had 2.85 inches a bit ago and is about to go through the final torrent on the cold front.

      He’s probably going to end up with about 3.50 inches.

        1. Unbelievable.

          Sometime down the road, since last spring or early summer, it would be interesting to see your top 5 or 10 rainfall totals.

          You’ve received crazy amts last 9-12 months, multiple times.

  47. We’re at 55. My Mom and brother just up the street, 10 miles away, in Mansfield are at 40. We just got a Flood Warning alert.

  50. If I’m reading OBs and sfc winds correctly, sfc low is around Bridgewater, MA

    One more torrential burst along cold front in far eastern Mass with a little rain behind it and then, thankfully, it shuts off.

  51. I’d be curious to know what is happening within about 40-50 miles of coastal Maine.

    They are below freezing.

    The echoes make me think they are over to sleet and frz rain after having recd a big snowfall.

    By far, the worst winter storm of the cold season in northern New England.

    The cam in North Conway makes it look like they are closing in on 2 ft where it stayed all snow.

  53. Son in lincoln ri has flood and river flood warnings but I don’t think this time he’s had the huge amount north has had.

    1. Hope he’s not dealing with much. My pump is going because I think the ground couldn’t take it all in so fast since much of it was in 3 hours.

  54. This was posted for our town about an hour ago.

    ROADWAY FLOODING ALERT: NAPD, NAFD, and NA DPW are currently responding to multiple flooded roadways throughout the town at this time. Please limit roadway travel to emergency only. If you are driving about, please heed any and all road signs and cones as they likely mean the roadway is impassible. If it looks sketchy… it likely is. Do not attempt to drive through water.

    Do not hesitate to call 911 for any emergency condition you may have.

  55. My brother in South Portland Maine said branches are starting to snap all over from ice on trees

    1. The increasing wind won’t help that either. Hopefully it won’t be too bad and they keep their power.

  56. We’re at a gathering in Rockland. I just walked out to the truck and the road is under water by about 6” to 1 ft. Nuts !

      1. We were lucky yesterday and warm sectored.

        We were 48-50 most of the day and briefly got to 54F right when the low went just of us, then crashed quickly into the 30s when the wind went west.

  61. There are some icy patches on the roads, either where there is usually a big puddle or that spot where water runs long after it has stopped raining.

  63. Center of Conway, NH : 25 inches of snow.

    (Courtesy of WMUR TV in NH)

    Someone, I forget who, reported 32” I believe.

    A lot of central NH, points north reported 20” or more.

  64. I may be mistaken, but I think we had a bit of sleet mixed in from time to time the last hour hour and half of the event as temperature dropped to near 34. 🙂

    1. You’re not mistaken. I saw a bit of mixing.

      In some ways I wasn’t kidding a few days ago when I said that it’s an interest start to winter. My sister just texted to say that it’s 12F and sunny in Norwich, VT with a ton of snow on the ground and that not once this winter has a storm produced as much or the cold behind it been as sharp.

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