Storm Update

600 Comments

2:47PM

EDIT AT 6:00PM to remove THIS AFTERNOON and tweak final snow amounts…

Updated forecast for eastern MA, RI, and southern NH…

TONIGHT: Snow of varying intensity, heaviest in eastern MA and interior southeastern MA to northern RI. Rain/mix from just south of Boston along the coast through Plymouth  County and over the eastern half of Cape Cod with these areas eventually turning to snow. Snow tapering off west to east after midnight. Revised total snowfall now that we can see the coastal front and precipitation banding setting up around the intensifying low pressure area…3-6 inches north central MA to south central NH, 4-8 inches much of eastern MA except a few locally higher amounts of 9 or 10 inches in interior southeastern MA higher elevations into northern RI, then down to a 2-4 inch band in areas that have seen rain or mix (maybe toward the lower end of this in areas that are last to turn back to snow), even lower with 1-2 inches outer Cape Cod and Islands. Lows around 30 Cape Cod and South Coast, 20s elsewhere. Wind NE to N increasing to 10-20 MPH inland and 20-30 MPH coast with higher gusts. Visibility may be very limited at times from blowing snow.

SUNDAY: Clearing west to east. Highs 30-35. Wind NW 10-20 MPH with higher gusts.

SUNDAY NIGHT: Clear. Lows 10-15 inland valleys to 20-25 along the coast. Wind NW diminishing to 5-15 MPH.

MONDAY – NEW YEAR’S EVE: Mostly sunny. Highs 35-40. Wind variable 5-10 MPH. First Night Forecast – Clouds move in, temperature cools toward 30, light wind.

TUESDAY – NEW YEAR’S DAY: Mostly cloudy. Chance of a few rain or snow showers PM. Low 30. High 42.

WEDNESDAY: Mostly sunny. Low 22. High 34.

THURSDAY: Variably cloudy. Chance of snow showers. Low 22. High 32.

FRIDAY: Mostly sunny and windy. Low 10. High 25.

600 thoughts on “Storm Update”

  1. Thanks for the update.

    Alisonard I actually think the winds might occur during the height of the storm but the 2 inch per hour snow might be tough to achieve for 3 straight hours.

    1. November told us this would not be the same. The mild December did not worry me. Even though I have not been forecasting prolific snow for the winter, we’ll see snow, and plenty of cold shots of air. Both were absent last winter, aside of a few cold Sundays.

  6. Heads up for anyone living in the city of Boston – Snow Emergency/Parking Ban: There WILL be a snow emergency/parking ban in effect at 9:00pm for the 12/29 storm due to expected freezing temps.

  13. From Storm Prediction Center
    AREAS AFFECTED…PARTS OF LONG ISLAND THRU MUCH OF SRN NEW ENGLAND

    CONCERNING…HEAVY SNOW

    VALID 291922Z – 292315Z

    SUMMARY…HEAVY SNOW RATES IN EXCESS OF 1 INCH PER HOUR APPEAR
    INCREASINGLY LIKELY BY 23-00Z…AND ARE EXPECTED TO PERSIST THROUGH
    02-03Z…AND PERHAPS BEYOND.

    DISCUSSION…STRONG CYCLOGENESIS IS WELL UNDERWAY…WITH DEEPENING
    OF THE SURFACE LOW CENTER MIGRATING NORTHEAST OF THE CAROLINA COAST
    ON THE ORDER OF 2-3 MB PER HOUR SINCE MID MORNING. MOST GUIDANCE
    INDICATES THAT RAPID DEEPENING OF THIS FEATURE WILL CONTINUE INTO
    THE EVENING HOURS…AND BEYOND…AS IT MIGRATES INTO AREAS SOUTH AND
    EAST OF THE SOUTHERN NEW ENGLAND COAST BY 00-03Z. THIS IS EXPECTED
    TO BE ACCOMPANIED BY STRENGTHENING DEEP LAYER UPWARD VERTICAL MOTION
    AND INTENSIFYING PRECIPITATION RATES ACROSS PARTS OF NORTHERN MID
    ATLANTIC COASTAL AREAS AND NEW ENGLAND…WHERE THERMODYNAMIC
    PROFILES ARE GENERALLY BELOW FREEZING AND SUPPORTIVE OF SNOW. EVEN
    ACROSS MUCH OF LONG ISLAND…WHERE SURFACE TEMPERATURES ARE STILL IN
    THE MID 30S…AS THE LOW TRACKS TO THE SOUTH AND EAST…COLD
    ADVECTION SHOULD RESULT IN A CHANGEOVER OF RAIN TO SNOW DURING THE
    21-00Z TIME FRAME.

    HEAVIEST SNOW RATES ARE EXPECTED TO DEVELOP ACROSS CENTRAL AND
    EASTERN LONG ISLAND AND CONNECTICUT THROUGH MUCH OF RHODE ISLAND AND
    A LARGE PORTION OF CENTRAL/EASTERN MASSACHUSETTS…INCLUDING THE
    BOSTON METROPOLITAN AREA…BY AROUND 00Z. THIS SHOULD OCCUR IN
    CONJUNCTION WITH THE EVOLUTION OF DEFORMATION ZONE ASSOCIATED WITH A
    NEWLY FORMING AND DEEPENING MID-LEVEL LOW CENTER…AS LIFT
    INTENSIFIES IN THE LAYER WITH TEMPERATURES FAVORABLE FOR LARGE
    DENDRITIC ICE CRYSTAL GROWTH. SUPPORTED BY PRECIPITABLE WATER ON
    THE ORDER OF .5 TO .75 INCHES…MAXIMUM SNOW RATES PROBABLY WILL
    EXCEED 1 INCH PER HOUR…PERHAPS APPROACHING 2 INCHES PER HOUR IN
    SHORTER-LIVED CONVECTIVELY ENHANCED BURSTS.

    ..KERR.. 12/29/2012

    ATTN…WFO…BOX…OKX…

    LAT…LON 42157264 42737118 42207049 41727097 41347169 41117226
    40607309 40757331 42157264

    Top/All Mesoscale Discussions/Forecast Products/Home

    Weather Topics:

  15. Posted 30 min ago from NEWW on fb…
    As we stated yesterday with the water vapor Imagery, the storm that passed on Thursday is still milling around Cape Race Canada, we thought this would have implications on the current storm, the Current storm has been drifting more to the WNW and not ENE as progged, this will bring what is expected to be a major gale center just east of Boston, QPF amounts will increase as a result. This is a strong indication we still have Rex Blocking.
    It’s because of this latest storm motion we feel this will be a major system for more of New England, we are expecting more changes from UPTON, KBOX, and KGYX.

  16. Glad your finally on board tk. This storm will set the standard for what I have been saying since the fall, this winter will be tough and will ne talked about when It’s all over .I still am going with above for snow and very, very cold.

    1. I am on board with this storm, but not with the continued very snowy pattern. I think we see more snow than rain in January, but below normal precipitation. The long term pattern is still drier than normal.

  17. Was prolonged sleet expected in southwest Rhode Island and is it an indication of what could happen in areas of MA. Also is it because its close to the ocean?

  18. Don’t like how the heavier snowbands weaken before making it up here. They stay confined to the southcoast 🙁

    1. Looks like it is still cruising north to the west in CT and not weakening as much. I think we are ok. Heaviest bands are for a little while. Heading to a friends for dinner at 5, will probably leave to come home by 7 so we are safe for the night.

  24. Remember, rain/mix was expected for the early part of the storm in parts of southeastern MA and RI. Cold air gets there tonight when the storm explodes.

    4. 39F with 34F dewpoint at the nearby airport where the ob is taken. Good gracious, thats not much cooler than the April spring seabreeze. Ok, going back to 1-2 inches in my neighborhood on the back end of the precip. Arghhhhhhhhh !!

      1. Yeah I know. According to my thermometer its been around 34-35degrees all day. Snow has lightened up here last few minutes still snow.

  28. Steady light snow in Brighton with a temp of 30 degrees. Roads still wet, but everything else turning white 🙂

  32. Hi ,
    I am new to the comment section but have been reading for a year now. I am a DPW guy in East Beidgewater. We have just sent the crews out to treat the roads. It is light snow at 35 degrees here. Looking to see whe the accumulating snow will end from this storm. Thanks TK for this blog. It is much better than any other site I have found.

    5. Welcome south OB. Nice to have you join us. I think you will have a very interesting perspective. Glad you have been reading a while so you are already familiar with the fact we are a bit…….how do I say it? ………unique 😉

      1. Thanks everyone for the welcoming messages. Yes Vicki, this group certainly is, as you say, ” unique”. :-). Looking forward to contributing when I can.
        Still 36 degrees here and snowing moderately.

  34. I am a big follower of the blog. Love checking in when storms are coming. I live in Sandwich, I am hoping we finally get some snow with this storm.

    1. Welcome! You won’t be in the jackpot area but eventually the cold air will get out there and change it all over to snow. Be safe!

  37. I don’t even care how much it accumulates. It’s just beautiful and exciting to see the snow falling outside our window in the south end. Coming down nicely.

      1. HM is laying low since posting a firm prediction of 3″ max. Poor Henry! love his personality, but he has a hard time getting it right 🙂

          1. He needs to spend a few days working with Elliot Abrams. He is much more conservative and always has been. From one extreme to the other there!

  44. Started at 35 earlier and now down to 31.8 with a dewpoint of 26. Snowing moderately again. Look like I will stay in it for a while now. I will see if that heavier hits here before I head out in a half hour.

  46. John and Coastal,

    The boston harbor buoy air temp is 38.3F and its got a wind direction of 060 degrees. I see you’ve both got rain in Pembroke and Hanover and thats probably because nearly 40F air is currently pushing to shore. Its 39F here in Marshfield. 🙁

    Probably going to rain for a couple more hrs, even if the precip gets heavy. Probably 7 to 9 pm, as the low gets to a position southeast of the Vineyard and the wind backs a bit to the north, the heavy rain will turn to a few hours of heavy snow. I’m back to just hoping there’s enough moisture left to get a few inches of snow at my location, but still feel you’ll both do well.

    2. Let’s see what time it turns. Dont count yourself short yet. What’s Boston doing. Unfortunately I’m home sick.

  47. Tk, I believe I need your signoff to be able to post. I’ve been reading many of your bloggers comments since back in the bz blog. I’ve learned a lot from u all and would love to participate. I’m also a Woburn guy. I saw you mention the Kennedy earlier. I ‘graduated’ the Kennedy junior high in 90.
    Thank you for the consideration for joining your site.

  50. Lighter here now. But nice covering. I think this is my first big snow event with you all except the October snow. I can’t remember when I joined though. Before the June 1 tornadoes I know.

  53. Dusk arrives and now will come the steadier precipitation (already across RI and southern MA) spreading northward through the rest of eastern MA and into NH).

  54. Todd Gutner just tweeted new snow map. 6-8 Boston and south shore then a little further inland south of boston RI, CT, MA 8-12. Will post tweet

  55. Todd Gutner ‏@ToddWBZ

    Here is our latest snowfall projection for tonight: #WBZ #SNOW pic.twitter.com/9MNHEF1u

  57. Just approved 3 new comments and a couple more earlier.

    Welcome to all of you! And thanks for being patient while I scan the spam-infused inbox for real comments. 🙂

    1. I have about a half inch here in easton so far. The snow isnt as wet as i thought it would be. Its fairly dry. I hope it stays that way.

  59. Important not to get lost in the excitement of a storm (whether you are a snow lover or not). None of us snowlovers are wishing ill luck on anybody. I want everybody to be safe. Snow is a fact of life around here and loving it or not becomes a moot point when you just have to deal with the hazards it presents.

    Also important to remember that even though this is a significant storm, it’s not going to be a blockbuster. We won’t be digging out from 1 to 2 feet of snow. Just about everyone will be under 12 from this fast-moving, moderate to hard hit.

  60. I think tonight is an early pizza delivery night. Settling in for this one. Looking over 18z guidance for the short term and taking a peek at the week ahead as well while I’m at it.

  61. Hey South OB, welcome! Im not too far from you in Easton. DPW question for u. I was on 495 earlier today and saw huge trucks that looked like sanders/salters. They werent throwing down sand or salt, they were soaking the highway with a liquid. I have never seen this before. What is it??

    1. Ace, that is either magnesium chloride or calcium chloride. The state uses it as a Pre-treatment or anti-icing technique. We Pre treat our salt with it as well. It helps the salt work faster and last longer.

      1. It is widely accepted and scientifically proven that its easier and cheaper to melt the snow from the bottom up instead of the top down. You want to melt it before it freezes to the road.

        1. I was Chemist before changing careers and love that explanation – glad to see a public safety use of chemicals that is well executed. Thanks for sharing.

    1. Rainshine as someone said what a difference a few miles makes. We have been totally covered for well over and is now to accumulating.

  64. Hi all. Nice to meet you. Been reading many of your post since back on the bz blog. Looking forward to hopefully taking my 5 year old sledding tomorrow, as well as to a safe, but hopefully snowy winter!

    2. I think I’m hitting the Joyce Middle School hill but probably in the morning. I’ll be the one with the REALLY fast orange plastic sled wearing all black. 🙂 Woburn colors!

  65. Ya know whats funny? I just peeked at todays 12Z EURO, and i wish i could get a side by side of the 12Z EURO from a few days ago that we thought went bonkers and gave us a snowstorm. I bet they would look very similar 🙂

  66. 4″ now in Amsterdam, NY ( just northwest of Albany) and we are no where near the center of the storm. This thing really blew up. Enjoy the snow down there everyone!

    JJ, how’s the storm going back home and what part of CT are you in? I see several observations now of moderate snow in CT and RI but still no reports of heavy snow. Radar looks impressive though.

    1. Hadi hope you’re not at Legacy Place. Just came back from there (Whole Foods). What a ZOO!!!! Which restaraunt?

      1. I dont think ive ever been in Whole Foods in Dedham when it wasnt a zoo, lol. I can only imagine what its like before a storm. I had plans with the gf’s family in West Roxbury tonight but i decided to not risk it.

  70. Back home from errands. Snow started within minutes of home.
    Temp was 34 went down only to 32. Snow was down to a mile vis with 20 minutes, then within an hour briefly down to 1/2 mile only to lift back to 1 to 1.5 miles.

    Vis here right now “about” 1.25 miles is all. Everything is covered, including roads.
    1/4″ to 1/2″ so far.

    We cancelled our dinner plans tonight and rescheduled for tomorrow night.
    (I would have gone, but several others feared venturing out in the snow)

    More soon.

    Enjoy all. Welcome all newcomers!

    1. Oops should have read more. Sorry you had to cancel. Where are you going? Sorry. I love new restaurants so am always anxious to hear about them

  71. Heading out to a friends for dinner about 3 miles away. Just took the dog out and it is snowing moderately and hte grass is completely covered now. Will talk to you all when I return.

  72. Evidence of coastal front set up with snow at Quincy and rain at Marshfield and about a 6 degree temperature difference between the 2 locations.

  74. Just moved the car into the driveway. Intensity has picked up some.

    Visibility is down to 1.0 mile or perhaps a bit less. Everything is totally white
    and completely covered. Looking really pretty out there. 😀

    1. Snow totals will have to adjusted downward with the rain on the south shore. Big busy potential. Looking at the radar the snow line is not budging. My kids are angry with mr because I said it was going to snow. Lol!

  76. NYC City Nexrad Loop:

    http://www.wunderground.com/radar/radblast.asp?zoommode=pan&prevzoom=zoom&num=6&frame=0&delay=15&scale=1.000&noclutter=0&ID=OKX&type=N0R&showstorms=0&lat=0&lon=0&label=you&map.x=400&map.y=240&scale=1.000&centerx=400&centery=240&showlabels=1&rainsnow=0&lightning=0&lerror=20&num_stns_min=2&num_stns_max=9999&avg_off=9999&smooth=0

    Taunton Nexrad Loop:

    http://www.wunderground.com/radar/radblast.asp?zoommode=pan&prevzoom=zoom&num=6&frame=0&delay=15&scale=1.000&noclutter=0&ID=BOX&type=N0R&showstorms=0&lat=0&lon=0&label=you&map.x=400&map.y=240&scale=1.000&centerx=400&centery=240&showlabels=1&rainsnow=0&lightning=0&lerror=20&num_stns_min=2&num_stns_max=9999&avg_off=9999&smooth=0

    If those strong echos get here…oh boy! Looking pretty impressive.

    1. Theres our 2″/hr rates and thundersnow! Looking at the NYC radar, it looks like its over already there. The whole thing looks like it wont last more than a couple hours. We need it to pick up quick.

  79. Acemaster, I read where a pond in Sweden did not freeze as it was a detention basin of a bi-product from making vodka. Anyway it is a liquid you can spray on the ground and it melts the ice and snow. It is used also before a storm on the roads. I do not know if it is in use everywhere but it was being tested around these parts.

  81. Hi All,
    Just got back from one son’s indoor soccer game now headed out to another son’s hockey game. A lot of excitement since I left this afternoon. I believe now I may have underestimated this storm and it makes me happy. TK or others, with the explosive nature of this storm, will it give more snow in southern NH than was expected as well as Boston south?

    1. I don’t think southern NH will get bombed with snow. I think they still should be in a 3-6 inch band. My wording on my previous update didn’t take into account they probably end up along or just outside the 5+ swath (maybe more toward the east). I’m going to try to refine and repost the snowfall in a while.

  83. I am literally just to the west of the coastal front setting up. I just hope it doesnt come any further west!

      1. Started as snow and the side roads started to get covered, but everything it wet. Temps have been holding between 34 and 36.

    3. Some unbelievably heavy stuff headed your way really soon.
      “perhaps” it will change it over for you????

      1. We shall see………………. I like snow but would enjoy it more if I didn’t have to move it off the roads. 🙂

  86. I am not a met and never studied weather but it truly interests me. Is there a chance this thing tracks closer to us and the boundary layer temps get influenced from the ocean?

    1. I still think that influence is really right where it is already going on now. I wouldn’t expect much westward movement of the coastal front. The areas that are rain will flip to snow and cover over rather quickly once that happens. Even if the snow amounts themselves are near the low side of the 2-5 band I have down there, it will still be a need for some scraping and road treatment overnight and early Sunday.

  87. Still about 1 mile Vis here.

    Temp steady at 32 with North to NE Wind. I would have thought with evaporative cooling, that we would have dropped to about 27 or 28??? Oh well, as long as it stays 32.

  88. Raining in Pembroke, heavy at times. 39degrees here. Scratching my head here as thinking we may just see rain. It’s just so warm here.

    2. John it was a rain then sleet for a long while in southern RI not far from ocean. Now its heavy snow. Same may happen where you are. I’m sorry. I know you are disappointed. I would be also. I’m wishing really hard

    3. Coastal front goes back the other way later and you get into the 2-4 band (may end up on the lower side of what was originally a 2-5 band I had but I’m taking the 5 out and replacing it with a 4).

      1. There won’t be five inches down here. Even four would be pushing it. Unless I see the temperature drop this is totally a bust down here. Even at three pm they were thinking foot down here.

  89. My temp in Easton has gone up 2 deg in the past hour, up to 34 with DP of 32. Still snowing but if it goes up another degree i dont think it will be snowing anymore

  92. Pouring and 39F. Probably close to .2 already down the drain. 🙁 🙁 🙁 🙁

    I’m taking a break until it turns to snow. Will post then. Hope to post again by 11pm, otherwise, catch you tomorrow with the sad details. Bloody 47F ocean !!!!

    Enjoy the inland snowstorm and coastal snowstorm Boston, points north.

    1. You have been saying all along the ocean temp would be a factor. I’m sorry :(. I hope you are back very soon because it will be good news

  97. Tweaked the blog above to remove “THIS AFTERNOON” and give basically a final call on snowfall. Didn’t make any big changes other than to scale back slightly in the far northwestern parts of the area and over areas that have been raining from the coastal front being west of them. We knew that area would be tough… They still will get snow at the end.

    1. So you jumped on board because you saw this coming, we agree on that. As of now I am just not sure. What went wrong.

      1. Toms ocean temps??? I’m thinking that may have been same thing along southern RI coast too. Based on nothing but potential common sense…..stress on word potential. And John I keep reminding you……it ain’t over till its over 😉

  103. Storm is progressive. Already ending in NYC and western edge of steady precip is already in western MA and moving east. Hopefully this thing really bombs out as it pulls away otherwise we’re talking only another few more hours of heavy precip before it shuts down and that could create a regional bust!

    2. I’m afraid you may be right about the regional bust. It snowed here for maybe 30 minutes and has been raining for the remainder. (whaa whaaaaaa)

      1. That is going as I had forecast. Winding down overnight.

        The only disappointment so far is the rain/snow line, but knowing how fragile that can be with a mild ocean, the fact that the storm center is about 30 miles north of where progged is what made the difference to this point.

  105. I’m always looking for surprises and I got it….Raining in Quincy!! How come the surprises never end up with more snow always seems like alot less…Blah..

  107. Does this have Bust potential for 4,5, or 7? Unfortunately most people will remember that they said and saw maps that showed 4-7 right to the coast and only rain coming up as far as plymouth.

    1. Yep I made the huge mistake of going to BZ weather and they are being idiots. People remember what they want and not what was. One person said BZ has predicted five storms this year. Did we have five potential events.

    2. I believe it was at least 8 down here. But even early this morning thats what it was showing. Even on the pm runs.

    1. Didn’t mix with rain at my house. Been watching carefully. I must be a bit
      more W or SW of where you are.

  111. Temp has creeped up t0 33. wind NE vis about 3/4 mile. Still no
    impressive snow rates. Let’s put it this way: I’ve seen it snow MUCH MUCH
    harder than it is snowing now. So far this is WIMPY! Not impressed in the least.
    Perhaps close to 1 inch on the ground. That is it.

    BTW, some really BIG flakes mixing in, often times an indicator that it is about
    to changeover to rain. Hope not.

    Watching carefully.

      1. John you didn’t screw up. No one knew and its still changing ss i type. Wait until tomorrow and then head here and ill throw snowballs at you if it makes you feel better. The buildup to this has been as fun as the event

      2. Its all “good in the hood” John. Its fun trying to figure these storms out. The joys of New England weather. It loves to fool all of us.

  112. 2.5 so far in Sterling. Getting used to the Winter here after living in Blackstone and growing up in Weymouth. Feel for all you snow lovers dealing with the mixing issues. Remember that all too well.

    1. any body know how to get the snow map for the NWS i am not able to find it on the top of the page 🙁

      1. luckly lisa im northwest of boston just outside of 128 and inbetween 495 so all snow for me. i just do not know how much i will get. thinking more in the way of 3 to 6 inches maybe up to 8

  115. Mike Wankum just tweeted rain pushing in along the coast pretty far inland changing snow to rain…Hey Mike great that you just joined the party.. What the hell..

      1. Having a blast on twitter. Pete Bouchard and Todd Gutner are a riot. We’ve been cracking jokes about the storm for the past few hrs.

          1. You need a twitter acct. Then, you do a search for people. I think Harvey’s twitter name is @harveywcvb. Twitter is pretty active with a lot of mets interacting with people there. You should check it out.

      1. I don’t like FB either John. Dont trust it. Tweets come from twitter. I have a twitter account but don’t use it.

  117. I live in Westwood and we have 3 inches + with heavy snow. We’ve been in a heavy snow band for about an hour. Looks like 1-2 inches per hour at this rate with no evidence of it letting up. Places just west and southwest of 128 are going to be the ones with highest snow totals. I’m enjoying this very much. Just hope back edge slows down as storm bombs out to our southeast bringing in more bands of heavy snow.

  118. if my area does not get on with the heivier stuff to the south i probably will not be seeing more than 5 inches. but hay at least its somthing that i can turn into a sleeding hill for the kids.
    and my aunt came to my family party 😀 and is going to be comming back tomorrow to watcht he pats game 😀

  119. BUMMERVILLE!!!!!!!!

    Been RAINING off and on here with snow mixed in for 10 minutes now!!!!!!

    This is clearly a boundary layer issue. Temp up to 34. It looks like wind shifted
    into the Bleepity bleep bleep EAST!!!!! It was more Northerly previously. Coastal Front staying put? Not!

    Unbelievable. I guess this is how the Winter is going to go.

      1. It’s unfolding perfectly for me. You live too close to the coast. You will still be correct John just a few miles away from the coast. I’m getting crushed as are many places except immediate coastline, SS, cape and islands.

          1. Boston points south and east are wondering where all the snow is. Just 5 miles inland and it’s a winter wonderland. Westwood at my home has 4 inches and snowing heavily. Rain line will never make it here and heavy band after heavy band continues to spiral in. I wish you guys were getting hit and you will bit you will likely pick up a quick few inches from mid evening on until the precip shuts off:(

  120. If you live right along the coast line east of 128, 24 and along route 3, it likely has been very disappointing. Rain/snow line never makes it to 128. I’m getting whacked here in Westwood. Back edge coming from the southwest and is coming through long island and approaching southwest CT. Still several more hours of heavy precip to go! 10 inches may verify just southwest of city. Huge bust potential from the city south and east!

  121. I’m sorry to those of you experiencing rain. If you lived a few miles inland, people are experiencing heavy snow and don’t even realize that some places are experiencing rain. Tom was correct regarding the marine influence. I’m glad I live away from the ocean.

  122. This now looks like the storm the other night where we just can’t overcome the boundary layer. MOSTLY RAIN here now with some flakes mixed in.

    The HORROR of it ALL!()*(&!*()@&#*(!@&#(!*@&#*!@(#*&!*(@#

    2. Ugh. That explains the lower totals on S RI coast. But they still have 6 inches and it was rsin and sleet for a long time before the snow so don’t give up

  124. We are up to 2.8. Picked up an inch in about an hour and still snowing heavily.

    Look on the bright side – anyone who lives near the coast has the one of the best areas of MA in his backyard – the ocean. I’d give my eye teeth to live near the coast

  126. I honestly don’t want any snow now in Quincy if I get 2 inchs of snow on top of all this SH** its going to be a pain. I’m looking forward to this night ending. On to the next storm after we have a good week or two of cold temps.

      1. I feel bad TJ. You are always so enthusiastic about snow. You remind me a lot me. I wish you could enjoy it too. You will in a couple of hours. Your heavy snow will come but only for a couple of hours where you may pick up a quick 2-4 on the backside.

  128. TK. As I asked you earlier, what do you think of the southwestern edge approaching CT? Does the heavy precip shut off by midnight for eastern MA? OR does this thing continue to bomb out thereby slowing down the eastern progression of the heavy precip till 2 a.m? Your thoughts please…

    1. UGH!!!! My Broken UGH meter that was in the corner of my office just
      got up and laughed at me and did a RAIN DANCE!!! UGH!!!!!!!!!!!!!

      My Ugh Meter Is now on the MOON!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!)(_@!@*#*!@)#(*!@)#(*

  132. Just talked with friends back home in Coventry, CT – closing in on 6″ with heavy snow continuing. We have received more there in four hours then we have up here in Albany and its been snowing here since 8am. Sorry to hear its raining in many areas southeast of Boston, but for most other areas in SNE, this storm is way over-performing compared to what we thought was going to happen just 36 hours ago.

    All I can say to you folks that have rain right now, be patient! You will have white ground before this thing ends. It’s snowing now across all if coastal CT, RI, and LI with a strong north wind…

    1. Well said Mark. I see even the extreme SS and canal getting 1-3 inches quick toward the end of the night. The remaining SS and immediate surrounding northern and western areas will still see 3-6 inches. 6″ being isolated on the northern/western aspect of SS i.e stoughton, brockton. Just west and sw of the city sees jackpot approaching 10 inches. Isolated foot still not out of the question. Boston sees 3-5. Metrowest and north and west still sees 3-6. 2-4 at the NH border. Storm far exceeds expectations in many locales. It’s too bad that a few are getting there own mini rain storm.

  135. Only extreme coastline and southeastern locations are receiving a private rainstorm. The rest of southern NE is getting whacked!

  136. Rain/snow line just beginning to collapse toward the coast. Wind shifting now as storm races northeast. Get ready folks. The rest of you will see heavy snow shortly and for the remaining of the evening. At least a few inches left!

  137. Good news! Forward progression of southwestern flank of storm showing signs of slowing down as storm strengthens. Still plenty of storm left and time for accumulations!!!

  138. Alisonarod,

    I would always be happy to get snow anytime but at this point I have to say I hope it doesn’t happen. With all this rain and then snow and cold temps its going to be very icy I hope it just stays rain.

  139. If this blog had one of those emotion things people put on their fridge that u can switch the frame to match the face with the emotion of the day, i think we just moved across all of them and back again 🙂

    1. I’ve been noting that for a few hours now however that forward progression has since slowed down due to the intensification of the storm Charlie. Still looks like another 6 hours of moderate to heavy precip before winding down.

  142. Pete Bouchard just tweeted…”Hey Haters our rain/snow line was off by 15 miles” HAHA that actually cheers me up!

    Are there any other storms on the horizon? TK you see anything or just cold and dry?

    2. Chilly/dry pattern, not excessively cold. I’m on track to have forecast January a bit too cold as I did December, at least so far.

      1. Ahhh Great…Well I may take a few days off from the blog and check out of weather for a bit. Hopefully when I get back there be some good changes towards colder and snowier.

        1. TJ. I’m with you. When the weather becomes uneventful I tend to disappear while looking forward to the next unexpected storm.

    1. Hadi. You’re cracking me up. If you lived only a couple miles west, it would be a whole different scenery. Yet, you had your time up in ME;)

  144. Yikes. Quincy is a tough locale given it’s close proximity to the ocean. I still think 3 inches is a good bet on the backside. I know you don’t want that but at least a couple of inches is likely which is plenty to make it look as if it never rained at all:)

    1. Vicki. Same here in Westwood and still snowing heavily. 10 inches not out of the question at all! I’ll be happy with 6 but looks as if we will surpass that with ease!

      1. Husband is going to just love clearing 10 inches in his sneakers. :). He just asked why I’m laughing and I didn’t have the heart to tell him. Hopefully he’ll find his boots before he has to shovel.

    1. Gotta love that coastal front. We’re getting crushed here in Westwood. When do you think measurable precip shuts down TK? I’m thinking 2 a.m. Your opinion?

        1. So theres only 4 or 5 hours left of this thing?!? It needs to snow real hard for all of those hours for any of these amounts to verify

          1. Most amounts will verify as long as you don’t live along the immediate coast line, the SS, Cape and Islands.

  151. I dont think i ever changed to rain here in easton, and its snowing heavier now than it has the entire storm. After the initial burst of dry snow, its been such a wet snow that only about 1 1/2 inches is on the ground yet its been snowing the entire time

    1. I don’t think you ever go to rain Acemaster. Look for about 5-6 inches of heavy wet snow your way. Enjoy:)

      1. I would have prefered the higher end of the range predicted here, but ill take 5 or 6. More than i got all last year in one storm.

  152. Is anyone down near providence? Im curious how much snow they have so far as they;re been snow the entire time and heavy at that. Just talked to my mom in attleboro, has 3 or 4″

    1. Acemaster. Storm doesn’t end for Easton till about 2 a.m. You have another 5+ hours of moderate to heavy snow to contend with you. You’ll be fine as long as you no more surprises and you stay all snow.

  153. Vicki…

    I guessed 3.3 inches from inside, went out and measured and it’s 3.4 inches so far.

    Snowing moderately here and I just talked to someone 3 miles east of me in Stoneham and it’s snowing moderately there as well.

    1. How much snow do you think Woburn will end up with in the end TK. Still looks like at least another 5 hours of an inch an hour snows so I’m guessing 7-8 inches for you. What do you think?

        1. Only 2 more inches with another 5-6 hours of snow to go? That’s less than 1/2 inch per hour. I think you get more than that.

  154. Hadi, GOOD NEWS!!! Look out the window!

    Changing over to SNOW! The wind has Backed some towards the North!
    😀 😀 😀 😀 😀 😀 😀 😀 😀 😀 😀 😀 😀 😀 😀 😀 😀 😀 😀 😀 😀 😀 😀 😀 😀

  158. I have a snow board set up right outside my kitchen window with measuring marks and all. (yes, I’m a total dork)

    It’s in a nice protected spot (no drifting etc…)

    At 6.5″ so far. Been at an average 1″ per hr. basically. There was one hour at 1.5″.

    For you guys at the coast, I fell for you all. Pray for TK to be correct for Jan. so we can cool that ocean down for a better winter back 9 closer to the coast.

  161. Just got home. Drove down 93 from Andover and down 95 to Newton. Max speed on 93=20 mph. Max speed on 95=30 mph. (and that was too fast) Clearly plows and salt trucks not able to keep up with it.

    1. Longshot I know its newton but just wondering how secondary roads were. My daughter is worrying since her husband doesn’t get out of work until 11:00. He’s only about 5 miles away but all secondary roads. Tx

    2. well. my road is snow covered and the last storm on thursday when we only got about 2 inches then rain we had snow plows going down it like all night. and tonight i saw only one.

    1. NOT HERE HADI.

      I’m down Near the Southern end of the Pond, just East of the Jway,

      trust me IT IS SNOWING here. ALL SNOW. NO RAIN!

          1. Yeah, It’s snowing now, pretty good too.
            More than 1 inch on ground here.

            Depending on when it quits… 4,5 6 inches.
            Something like that.

            😀

    1. That’s like a total of 1 mile, South ???? Pretty sharp line!

      Give it a few minutes and it WILL be SNOWING!!!

  167. 4 inches of of snow 🙂 largest snow storm that my area has seen since the 2010/2011 winter season. 😀 sorry for you guys on the coast … east of i95.
    funny how durring the thursday storm we had sanders and snow plows . and with this storm we have almost no snow plows and the road is snow covered. 😀 its really nice seeing this snow and to know it will last a little bit is even better 😀 i be able to bring out the good sleds :D… if you have not noticed im really happy 😀

  168. tomorrow should be interesting with the cold wind. the further north you are the more of a powder snow you have and that would mean easy blowing snow.

    1. Clear example of what can happen with 46-47 degree ocean just to the East.
      Had we a Frigid Arctic High to the North, this does NOT happen!!!

      1. Hate to repeat…..well maybe I don’t since I am repeating….but someone who is not posting until he sees snow has been saying that all along……….I won’t give his name but his initials are T.O.M. 😉

  176. Look at these OBS from L0gan:

    292318 SCT006 BKN010 OVC015 6 -RABR 36 34 0614G19 002
    292254 BKN006 OVC013 3 -SNRAB 33 30 0312 010 005
    292220 BKN008 OVC013 1.5 -SNBR 32 30 0210

    Change over when wind switched from 020 degrees to 060 Degrees with a mix
    even at 030 degrees, OH that WARM ocean.

  181. Checking out the NOA site. last update was at 7:52 and had Pembroke at 37 NEwind at 28mph and dewpoint at 34. Still saying snow mainly before 4am with total nighttime snow accumulations of 5-9 inchs possible. Unreal, no way that happens.

    1. John ill be surprised if we get 9 here and we are somewhere around 6 now. But as always its ok of Mother Nature wants to surprise me

      1. I know. And IT was clearly the case when they updated that. Why not tell the truth. I will be shocked if we get an inch on grass.

  183. Vickie to be honest no way it could have been known that the storm was 10 miles further north and east. Nothing suggested that occurring. No offense to Tom but that would have a guess.

    1. Didnt you say above when ocean is warm its a killer? Did I misread. Either way I’m not sure about the higher ocean temps not having some play in this. Look at southern RI. Or didnt the track come right over it?

      1. They did but bc of the track which was off from what was modeled. Unless Tom knew something rest of us did not know about the track 🙂

  185. I feel like such a bum for not checking the temperature and not going outside to measure, but I just had to share how excited and happy I am that it LOOKS and FEELS and SMELLS like winter and how much I’ve missed my old friend, Snow 🙂

  190. Just arrived back home. Main roads not too bad in town. We are at a little over 6 inches and still snowing pretty good. Sorry it is raining for those on the coast, maybe the colder air next week can work on the ocean.

  191. Unfortunately, for those who are just now going over to snow, its way too late to get any meaningful accumulation. Even here where its been snow the whole time, it was so close to the coastal front the snow was so wet it just compacted and didnt add up

  192. It looks like the snow is finally collapsing to the coast; unfortunately the storm is cruising along and you can see the eastward progression to the precip, especially in northern MA. We have 3-4 inches in Pelham, NH. Maybe looking at 5-6 by the end.

    1. Hadi. It’s not over. Many are turning over to snow now. Even coast line sees a few inches before all is set and down. Just west of coastal front many see 6-10+ inches.

  197. Just got our power back after 1 hr without and right on cue, heavy rain has changed to heavy wet snow….. Huge dollar size snowflakes.

    1. Awww now see. I’d gladly trade the snow for the loss of power. Darn

      When is the wind supposed to pick up?

    3. Finding out it was due to a car accident on rte 139

      Craziness, I think the rain snow line is retreating south to north in reading the comments above. Hope to sneak in a couple wet inches while still in heavy precip.

      And no, I had no idea that the rain would progress so far inland, up to the north shore, that Boston would reach 37F. Crazy !!!!

  198. Many more hours of snow until the wee hours of the morning. Storm still strengthening. Western flank’s forward progression still hasn’t moved much in a couple of hours. 6 inches in Westwood and still snowing strong. 10 inches is within reach.

    1. Your turn now John. A few inches of heavy wet snow coming your way. Believe it or not, snow becomes light and fluffy in the end.

      1. Its funny this area was to get nailed as of this afternoon. As I suspected this storm had a few tricks. Snow is covering fast.

  202. 3 hours now visibility around 1/4 mile in pounding snow – nearing 5 inches if not just over that in Woburn. Never mixed here. All snow.

    2. TK. I told you you’d get more than 5.8. You will get at least 8 before all is set and done:) The radar has been saying it all.

    2. Yes, very sloppy wet snow. I like this snow, cause it has some staying power as opposed to a few inches of powder, which seems to condense and melt in minutes.

    1. Oh, absolutely not, i’m extremely surprised !! I thought starting at Hingham and heading south along the immediate coastline. I’m surprised how far inland south of Boston the rain line went. To see towns like Pembroke and Hanover, for example, the centers oh which extend maybe 5 to 7 miles away from the shore, again extremely surprised how much of the storm was lost to rain.

    1. Yes but for eastern sections it’s just getting going. Very heavy snow beginning in eastern sections.

  206. Central CT still seeing moderate to heavy snow. Good news for the coast. Several more hours to go at least!

  207. Well, I think we’ll all need to keep this event in mind for future events this winter. Unless there’s a strong, very cold high to out north or the ocean temps drop towards maybe 40F to 42F, the rain snow line along the entire Mass coastline is in play for at least part of a storm, even ones that travel in a nice track, like this one.

    By the way, the winds are ramping up very quickly.

    1. Agreed tom. If temps get closer to normal around here perhaps ocean temps will get closer to normal too

      Wind not a factor here yet

  208. Very heavy precip just to the south. Should be able to add several inches easily. I am over my pouting session 🙂

    Very true Tom.

    1. Hadi. I’ve been telling you that for hours now. Relax and enjoy! Now that the storm has bombed out and is making it’s closest pass to us now, count on very heavy snow for several hours. An easy few inches at least is likely!

    1. Which means, still plenty of snow to go! I’d adjust the timeframe a bit and wouldn’t be surprised to see accumulating snow end after 3 a.m.

  214. Snow still extends out to New York State. Look at the heavy snow echoes over Bristol county right now. They are getting nailed!

    1. Those reflectivities may also have to do with the size of the snow flakes. They are huge. The pace of the snow is pretty good also.

      1. Either way you look at it, it’s accumulating out there but no doubt the heaviest precip is east of western MA. I enjoy the heavy wet snow as well Tom. It pastes everything and looks so much nicer as opposed to powdery snow that doesn’t stick to trees.

        1. Its snowing harder now than it has all night. Even though the radar in my area has showed heavy snow all night, it never really got heavy, and it was snow the whole time. Just went out and measured 3.” I guess if it snows this hard for another 3 or 4 hours i COULD get to the low end of the predicted totals for northern bristol county. Barely warning criteria snow but would count.

      2. That is what i think the issue was in my area Tom, the snowflakes were so big it caused increased reflectivity with the radar. It wasnt really that heavy pace of a snow.

        1. The heavy wet snow in your area Ace caused the snow to compact a bit. If it was a lighter snow, you would have had more measurable snow. However, if you liquidated your snow total, it’s likely equivalent to the melted precip total of someone to the north who has received 5 inches thus far. Lighter fluffier snow piles up while heavy wet snow weighs down the snow thus giving one a false sense of measurement.

  215. From Springfield eastward, serious snow still to get through before it ends. Radar echoes break up just west of that which means the storm is beginning to pull away from new england. Look for snows to hang on tough along the coast for several more hours.

  217. John. Trend to continue. You still have a bunch of heavy snow to get through. With a northerly wind, temps will drop and snow will really pile up quick. You’ll be surprised even though storm along extreme eastern sections did not go as planned.

    1. I don’t think we see heavy snow “like this” through 3 a.m.. Look for heavy snow like this through 12:30-1 a.m. with lighter snows thereafter. Last of snow exits the cape around 3 a.m. If you get caught in a band John, you could see 2 inches in just one hour. A few more inches on top of what you have now is likely.

  227. Wow, S+ …… serious S+ !!

    I’m glad we’re getting some snow, I was frustrated earlier…. Not so much by the rain, but the 39F temp was ridiculous. I think I may have said bloody 47F ocean LOL !!!!!

    3. THAT’S WHAT I MEANT. -and I think I said bloody ocean temps multiple times also for all of you. So happy you are all seeing snow now

  231. Temps bottoming out. Snow becoming lighter in density but still heavy in intensity. This is where many people see most of their snow. We are in the heart of the storm now before it pulls away. If caught in one of those bands, snow will pile up quickly.

    1. Luckily, my wife made some plans with friends down the street. It took my mind off it for a little while, then the power went off, after a while we came home and then poof, snow and the power came on, which is nice cause I can see it a lot easier with the outside lights on. 🙂

      1. Sooooo if I wished really hard for you guys to get snow do you think you could wish a little hard for power out here. Thought it was worth a try 😉

        1. Vicki, you seem so nice, its hard for me to wish that on you and I’ve seen many times you post that you like the power off…..so, with that, I am wishing for a power outage in your neighborhood, specifically your house. 🙂

  236. Closing in on 10″ now at my house in Coventry, CT and just talked to my brother in killingworth (He is few miles from the CT shoreline just west of Old Saybrook) and is up to a foot of snow! This storm just exploded and I cannot believe CT ended up with these snow totals.

    It is still snowing lightly out here near Albany and we are closing in on 6″ even out here. You still have a few more hours to tack on some good accumulation in eastern MA.

  239. Storms continues to intensify. Mod-heavy snow hangs tough along the coast as storms continues to pull away. Mod-heavy snow through 1 a.m. eastern sections.

  241. But snow shuts off in CT first. Central and eastern town who have already picked up 6-8 inches will catch up in many cases as we still have at least a couple hours of heavy snow left.

  245. I also like that it will be cold tomorrow, so that not much should melt tomorrow. Once the roads are good, I like to drive around and check out everything with the snow on the ground.

    Also, for the Pats game, I’m sure Miami must love this. Enjoy when out of bounds is full with snow piles.

  246. I am in for a stressful day with the Skins/Cowboys tomorrow night :). Hoping Bears and Vikings win during the day to relieve some of the pressure.

    1. That would be good. I am hoping the Redskins do well tomorrow. With RGIII, that is a team that no one will want to face and I could see them making a deep run through the playoffs.

  249. So, this low traveled over the benchmark, if not a bit inside of it. I am pleasantly surprised because the NAO isnt very favorable and many of the signs a few days ago indicated the jet stream wouldnt be sharp enough to bring it this close. I wonder what changed. I did notice a broad circulation in the snow echoes in the radar out in western NY, as if an upper level low was west of us. Maybe that sharpened things up a bit more ???

    1. Ummmm didn’t you guys say I could play Mother Nature got this one. That and my snow socks and you have to ask what changed. Geeeshhh

      1. I can confirm that Christie. I live in Holden as well. I’ve got 8.5″ on my board. Not sure we’ll hit 10″ looking at the radar. I might get to 9″ at my house. We’ll see how much longer this hangs around.

  254. any chance snow may hang around the east coast (specifically Boston area) for a little while (few more hours) longer?

  256. Son said just under 12 in S Ri. And they had rain then sleet until 4:00. He said wind is really picking up storm almost over but snow is really heavy

    1. sweet updates Hadi -thanks.

      gotta love Worcester airport – never in a hurry.

      We’ll hear from them by next Wednesday.

    2. I grew up in Woodstock, Ct.

      Glad to see they did well – they usually turn to rain when Boston does. Was frustrating as a kid.

      Grandmother still lives there.

  261. Much finer snow falling now and a slightly less wet snow as well. Around 1.5 inches, looks very nice.

    Looking at these temps coming up, we might have a snowcover for a week.

  262. Looks not as cold as it was projected to be earlier though. Still waiting for one of those days with highs in the teens.

  264. It’s so weird that my sil has lived in sne since Feb 2011 and hasn’t experienced a New England snowstorm yet, the family always asked her how do you like the winters there and she has to say she hasn’t seen a snow event any bigger than what she would experience in tx, and now she is down here visiting and it snows there, so weird, for her she always says when they ask winters really arnt that bad, anyways hope everyone’s enjoying the snow 🙂

    1. I feel like an idiot, they didn’t want to ever shovel so I told them to buy a snow blower haha they haven’t even started yet since they got it on sale in March 2011, it’s just weird that she down here for the 1st time since and it snows 🙂

    3. From what I understand her area has 2-4 inches on ground now so by the time we get home they probably still won’t need the snowblower, again enjoy the snow

  265. Well that about wraps it up out here in the hills – good night all.

    Had fun today with the group. Let’s get some cold in here for Jan. to set us up for a Feb. Blizzard or two.

  266. From facebook, received a post from Taunton NWS …. A buoy SE of the Cape around 10pm had a min pressure of 974.5 mb or 28.80 inches. Wow ! Like a cat 2 hurricane pressure.

  267. Goodnight everyone. Glad everyone ended up with some snow in the end. Now time to get that steady ocean temp to drop. It has been stuck around 47-48 for a while now.

  268. As of 12:00 am in Westborough, we have 9 inches of white, light powder with a temperature of 27 degrees that remained fairly constant throughout the storm. The back end of the storm is approaching and intensity is down to flurries. Got much more than the 6 inches I thought we would get!

  270. Snow ends at 2AM, right on schedule, at Woburn.

    Final snow here is 7.8 inches, the first 3+ inches on the sticky side, the rest is powder.

    Moving it all in the morning then heading to pack down some sledding trails with my son.

    Be safe everybody!

    Going to edit and update the blog. See you over there!

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