Storm Update (Saturday Morning)

176 Comments

11:44AM

A little later on I’ll post some links for storm totals and other information. Of course  many of my readers do that for me in the comments section and I want to thank all of them and EVERYBODY for reading and commenting here!

Just a short update here on what has happened (expand on this later) and then a look ahead to the next several says.

SNOW: Winding down. Another 1-3 inches MA South Shore to Cape Cod which should bring the snow totals into the predicted range there. Big amounts many areas, 18-30+ inches fell and with a difficult storm to measure and all the reports still coming in, we’ll look at a full list when it becomes available. Another snow band to the west should weaken as it comes eastward but may produce a little more across the area before falling apart.

WIND: Still NW 15-35 MPH and gusty with blowing & drifting snow through the afternoon.

COASTAL FLOODING: The worst is passing, but hard hit areas including Hull, Scituate, Sandwich, among a few others. Will try to get more info on this as well. Despite a few areas seeing serious flooding, this is not even remotely close to the scope of what happened in 1978!

POWER OUTAGES: The heavy wet snow for the first part of the storm resulted in big time power outages especially on the South Shore of MA. Hoping that everybody gets the power back as soon as possible!

What’s coming up?

This storm is about to depart and in its wake we can expect a very cold night tonight with the deep snowcover. Sunday will be a glorious sunny day and will feel “warmer” compared to today as there will be less wind along with the higher mid February sun angle. Much of the dig-out should be able to be completed during Sunday. Please use caution if you are shoveling!

Early Week… Frontal system swings through Monday with a minor precipitation event.

Mid Week… Watching a storm threat but for NOW going to lean toward it being out to sea.

Late Week / Weekend… A brief break then a storm threat for the weekend. Too far away to even venture into any detail. We’ll just leave it at saying there is a possible storm to deal with at that time.

Updated forecast for southeastern New England…

THIS AFTERNOON: Snow winds down but lingers over the South Shore of MA for a while and Cape Cod & Nantucket longer where another 1-3 inches will fall. Sun may peak out. Temperatures holding in the upper teens and 20s. Wind NW 15-35 MPH with higher gusts, causing additional blowing and drifting snow.

TONIGHT: Clearing. Stars will shine above a deep snow cover. Lows drop to near 0 remote suburbs to near 10 most areas. Diminishing NW wind.

SUNDAY: Sunny. Highs in the 30s. Wind W up to 20 MPH early then diminishing.

MONDAY: Clouding over. PM mix to rain showers. Low 20. High 40.

TUESDAY: Partly cloudy. Low 30. High 45.

WEDNESDAY: Partly cloudy. Watching storm to south. Low 20. High 40.

THURSDAY: Partly sunny. Watching storm to south. Low 20. High 40.

FRIDAY: Mostly sunny. Low 15. High 35.

176 thoughts on “Storm Update (Saturday Morning)”

  2. Thanks TK.

    Also, great pictures everyone. (great one of winthrop O.S.)

    O.S. you’re like our resident researcher. Love it.

  3. Thank TK. Here is what I posted on previous blog.

    Not sure about accurate JMA but I gave it my best shot maybe OS can confirm,

    3 spots That I did earlier came in at 30.1, 32.8 and 32.4 at 11:30.

    1. Hmmmmm 30.5. Well I was a bit off with my 18 for framingham too. No wonder I’ve never won more than $40 in the lottery. Of course I rarely play but the reason for that is obvious too 🙂

  7. I know many will post links but at some point once we have the final wind and snow numbers and other storm reports I’ll post it in one message.

  8. Message to Keith-Hingham:

    Can you give me the name of the cross streets for the Winthrop picture posted by OS?

    Thank you.

    1. I believe it’s Nevada Street and Winthrop Shore Drive. Give or take a few cross streets (Nevada being the cross street).

  11. Hanging at my mom’s in Whitman after she and my brother rescued us from our freezing house. Have no idea when I will see my husband or power again. It was a good one for sure! Not sure how many inches we got as I didn’t get a chance to measure before our chariot arrived. Hope everyone is safe and warm.

  15. Just got in from digging my car out. I also ended up helping a few of my neighbors dig out their cars. In a situation like this its neighbor helping neighbor. I have a snow drift that is eye level in front of my back deck. The sun is out here and the cleanup is beginning but I noticed shoveling the snow is still blowing and drifting with the wind.

    1. Thanks Vicki. We are relieved so we can get to CT tonight for the my Wife’s Grandmother’s memorial service tomorrow. I just need the CT one lifted now. We will hit the road at 4 and at least get to Springfield.

        1. Barkhamsted, which is near Winsted. My father in-law just said the Governor of CT is having his next news conference at 6, so hopefully he lifts it then or before.

          1. My guess is you could call the police and get permission to go. They seem to be very understanding about special circumstances. Best wishes

            1. Thanks Vicki. Someone just told me that RI has a ban too and that has not been lifted. Was hoping to go into Rhode Island and up 146. May have to take 495 to the Pike.

          2. The highways here are not in great shape. There were cars and snow plows that got stuck during this
            storm. Its going to take a few days to clean this all up.

      1. Nearly about 100%. Antibiotics did the trick. It took them just over 24 hrs to pretty much end a cough that went on literally for hours without being able to stop. Yay! Thanks for asking. How are you and how is your husband feeling.

        1. Glad you’re feeling better and the antibiotics worked. I’m ok and husband is ok – he went out earlier and cleaned the car but w/the help of our good neighbors the job was not that bad. I help a little, but between my back and my husband saying that at 105 lbs. I shouldn’t strain, I just get to watch and maybe brush off the car here and there. Really cold out but invigorating.

  18. After 3 more measurements, 25 inches of snow in Sudbury – in our yard, anyway. Sun has been in and out amidst lots of clouds and occasional gusts cause blowing snow and more drifting.

      1. Vici,

        Upload your phots to facebook.
        Then get on your time line and click on a phto.
        When it enlarges, right click and select View Image. You
        should see a link somewhere, perhaps in your browser.
        Copy and paste to WHW. Good luck

  24. I don’t know Hadi measures, but the best I can do is 23 inches and I took a crapload of
    measurements. 😀 😀 😀

    I am exhausted! Wife made me come in. She fears a heart attack.

    Some more pics coming.

    1. OS, take it easy and do a little at a time. No need to do it all at once. When I came in I was exhausted too. Lack of sleep due to storm watching is getting the best of me today as I am sure it is with everyone else as well!

  25. WeatherWiz, just used my roof rake for the first time. What a lifesaver. It took me 20 minutes vs. 2 hours using my ladder in the past. Best 40 dollar investment.

    1. Husband did roof rake and SIL got up on roof to get more off. I wish I’d had the foresight to invent the roof rake

  29. 1. Feb. 17-18, 2003 = 27.5″
    2. Feb. 6-7, 1978 = 27.1″
    3. Feb. 24-27, 1969 = 26.3″
    4. Mar. 31-Apr. 1, 1997 = 25,4″
    5. Feb. 8-9, 2013 = 24.9″ **
    6. Jan. 22-23, 2005 = 22.5″
    7. Jan. 20-21, 1978 = 21.4″
    8. Mar. 3-5, 1960 = 19.8″
    9. Feb. 16-17, 1958 = 19.4″
    10. Feb. 8-10, 1994 = 18.7″

  30. 23 OS? I still measure 30 in multiple spots and even two neighbors came in with 29.7 and 31 down the street.

    1. Sorry, just not seeing that. Perhaps it was just the winds currents.
      There are homes and trees and cars. It is difficult to get a good reading.

  33. Hearing about another small snow band which will still have to pass through Boston. Might give Boston a possible 1/2″.

  35. Two and a half hours of clearing later, we have a driveway, a front walk, and a raked roof. (And that was *with* someone plowing the part of our driveway the cars weren’t in.)

    Took a bunch of measurements around the yard. Lowest was 18″, highest was 26″, with about the same number on the high and low ends… I’ll call it 22″ (that’s in Millis).

    1. I think it was all on the 2nd floor deck!!!!!

      That snow was deep. It took forever to clear that off. If I don’t, it ends up rotting and costing thousands to fix it.

  39. Finished a 4 hour cleanup in Andover… wow, massives drifts. Measured 24″ in the backyard, after all said and done. At least the kids helped with the shoveling this time!
    Pull a lot of snow off the roof, worried if it gets rained on this week, hoping not much.

    Heading to Bruins game later, go Bs!

    TK, whats the score for tonights game?

  40. Tri-State Weather
    Wxrisk.com shared Tri-State Weather’s photo.
    we should NOT rescue STUPID people like this

    Like This Page · 2 hours ago

    Another view of the hundreds of stuck vehicles in Suffolk County, Long Island, NY. This is RT 25 through the area near a walmart. Many have been stranded since yesterday evening! Some were rescued by snowmobile. Near 30 inches of snow fell with drifts 5 feet or higher!

    http://sphotos-b.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-prn1/16506_512414665468791_1783166194_n.jpg

      1. So many are saying our governor went too far.

        I’d say the proof is in the outcome. I for one am incredibly proud of him and of the many, many individuals who spent their time cleaning our roads.

        1. Well, I think he did just fine, however, I think the
          timing could have been better. The T could have been
          open till later in the evening and the traffic ban could
          have started about 8PM ish and not at 4PM. If he had consulted us, he would have done better. 😀

          1. I am ok with the traffic time because many waited past 4 but the T stop time I 100% agree with You can’t take away roads and public at the same time. But it not in his position and he was in uncharted area. Lessons learned.

  41. Boston’s official climatological data has yet to be posted, but according to my math Logan’s snow total for this winter season so far should stand at 35.6″.

    Based upon the latest CPC outlook, normal and above snowfall is very achievable. We will see.

    1. Check out what NEWW is saying:

      Further downstream 0n the 17 th we are watching what could become a very significant coastal event, this could be much like this last storm was, we will begin preparing graphics for this event later this evening.

          1. Maybe they will explain later. Will watch for that, as I am quite curious as to what they see. 😀

            I grew up in Millis. Where are you located?

              1. I was on Parnell St which runs from rt. 109 to Union Street.

                Hmm….I “may” have been in your house before. D

                If it’s the ranch on the right when you turn onto Village then I have been. 😀 Next one on the right more up the Hill also. 😀

    1. I was in Worcester for their #2 storm on that list (Dec 11-12, 1992), attending WPI. We lived on a little side street (Lee Street) that didn’t get cleared at all for several days — if you had a car on that street, it stayed buried.

      I was scheduled to take the GRE test on Dec 12… in Wakefield. Suffice to say that didn’t happen.

      I notice that storm didn’t make the Boston, Hartford, or Providence top 10 lists, which strikes me as odd now. Anyone old enough and with a good enough memory to recall why it didn’t have nearly as much impact in those cities?

      1. (Actually, “nearly as much impact” is probably wrong… “nearly as much snowfall” is more like it.)

          1. Sorry if I was unclear, I was referring to the older one (Dec 11-12, 1992), which is #2 on the Worcester list, and not present in the other lists.

      3. Kviri I remember that storm well. We were talking about it the other day. It was the first time I believe since 78 here that school was cancelled three days after the storm. I also love the town of Millis. It has a nice town feel. We had friends who lived on village street but have since moved to NC.

    1. Hadi we’ve been here since 1979 so obviously through some of the other biggies but in our memory looking out at the neighborhood and yard this tops all.

      The very best was at about 5:00 this morning before anything was touched. We all sat in the front window having coffee and enjoying the peace and the enormity. The snow sparkled like it had a million diamonds on its surface.

      2. Euro shows a “mild low” on 16th. GFS signals something more intense. (Not saying GFS is right at all.)

  49. Storm Final Assessment.

    I’ve been around a long time and have witnessed ALL of Boston’s top 5 storms.

    This storm was a good one. Most impressive, however, it ranks # 2 to me.
    The April Fools Day in 97 ranks #3 with me. That other one that beat the 78 in
    snowfall was not a blizzard. Not even close.

    The Blizzard of 78 still Ranks #1 in my book. I don’t care about accumulations, that
    storm was the grandaddy of them all. This one came, close, but did NOT top 78. 😀

    Again, just my thoughts.

    1. Agree re 78. It was the granddaddy and deserves respect as such. I had to think hard about this compared to April fools day. I’m looking at this through my grandsons eyes so I think that colored it for me. But the 1969 storms were right up there for me too.

      1. Yes, the 2 of them. I had gone skiing at Killington with Roland Boucher. When we got to his home in Natick , I couldn’t believe the snow. He had to winch me out of the snow with his jeep so I could get home. That first Feb storm was only 16 inches at Boston, but 2 feet in Metro West.

        The 2nd storm which was 26 inches or so, was no big deal as it
        was long duration.

        But that first one that year was a doozy!

  50. I would agree OS 100% even though to me this beats the April storm, not sure why it just does in my mind.

    1. I agree that this one beats the April Fools storm. I ranked 78 #1, this storm #2
      and April Fools storm as #3.

    2. That Feb 2003 storm may have had a larger accumulation by a touch,
      but it did not have nearly the impact as my other ranked storms. In fact
      this 2003 storm is not even memorable.

        1. That’s my point. If I recall correctly, there was hanky panky with the measurement. I think they were using
          the wipe away method (ob a bench mide you). Snow an inch. Measure remove. Repeat until it stops snowing.

          I do it the old fashion way, I look at the final results, which means there is compaction. When it’s done stick a yardstick in the snow and see what you got.

          If we used the wipe away system, last night’s would have come in at 36 inches!!!! 😀 😀 😀

  53. They have not been updated. They have Pelham, NH at 24 inches at 7:15am, I think we ended up close to 28 inches. Really an amazing storm. Highest totals coming in from CT and ME…

  54. Wow, those snow banks are so high, I could reach the roof of the cars in the driveway, even sinking in the snow banks knee-deep!

    Shoveling today was like raking leaving…when you go inside and look out the window 5 minutes later it look like you did nothing, compared to what is left.

  55. I am going to be putting together some information about past big snowstorms (actually the credit goes largely to a friend and fellow meteorologist who is the stats guy) that will show that while this storm was very impressive and memorable, it does not measure up to at least 5 other big storms to impact this area.

    Hope to have that done and posted in a few days.

    1. Thank you TK. That will be fascinating.

      Does it take the M and E factors into account. They are two of the most important determining factors IMHO

  56. did the old fasion put the yard stick in the snow technique ranged from 23-26 inches. as well as the swipe after every 2 yours… which came in as 29 inches. and yes i checked my math like 4 times. so it shows you that the swipe way shows you more. I would say if you do the swipe method minus 2 or 3 inches.

  57. was really nice today. everyone outside and talking and stuff. shoveling. helping each other out. having fun. 7 foot snow bank at the end of my driveway. .. my pool area has the most snow with 4 feet through out it. though that is just because of snow drifts. to imagine that it will be where i am going to be swimming in late may 😀 have a hole bunch of pics on facebook.

    1. A lesser version of ’78 but you get the idea of what it was like. Imagine that on a larger scale for a week plus. No cars, other than occasional snow removal equipment and some vehicles you don’t normally see driving down roads, and a few police cars now and then. People pulling sleds full of groceries. It was amazing and in many ways I have missed it since.

      1. i loved it today. everyone was nice 😀 and playfull we had a shovel snow fight. since the snow stinks for snowballs. also i have formed a mound for my snowfort. tomorow some of the snow should start to melt making it a tad wetter and better for snowforts 😀 had not made one in 2 years. and this year it has to be bigger since i grew since then 😀

  58. The single thing this storm did that none of the others except one accomplished was give another generation – maybe two – a taste of what its like to walk in the street, smile at and feel a connection with people you don’t know and will probably never see again, and best of all really get a feel of oneness. I don’t think any amount of snow or wind can too that.

      1. Right, no official total from Worcester Airport yet.

        I’m thinking North might be the one for Worcester – we’ll see.

        Nice Rainshine!

        Hadi would have been right there if that snow bomb in Ct. were 50 miles +- more E/NE

  60. Here are total guesses – order Boston, Worcester, Providence, Sweet spot, Sweet spot total

    Tom 21.4 20.3 23.7 norwood 29.7
    Merlin 26.0 n/a n/a hingham 30.0
    Charlie 17.4 21.5 19.7 milford/norwood 27.5
    Shotime 22.0 25.0 30.0 Brighton 22.0
    Arod 28.0 34.0 30.0 Norwood/ded/fox 37.5
    Vicki 21.0 26.0 22.0 Milford 28.0
    Retrac 22.5 24.5 n/a Holliston 32.0
    Sue 21.0 26.0 23.0 Taunton 29.0
    Rainshine 25.0 19.0 22.0 Norwood 30.0
    Hadi 32.0 36.00 39.00 norwood 41.00
    Coastal 30.5 33.2 36 sharon 42
    North 29.8 32.1 30.6 Foxboro 36.5
    Ace 28.2 24.5 32.7 Franklin 37.20
    Mark 27.5 31.4 27.2 Burrillville RI 34.1
    Christie 26.8 35 37.5 Westwood 39.2
    Shreedhar 31.1 37.3 32.5 Holliston 40
    tjammer 28.0 35 26 Shrewsbury 39

      1. Oh did if. Well now I think we will have to have a turkey dinner for rainshine rather than her having one for us. Great job RAINSHINE!!!!!

  62. Channel 5 said framingham had the jackpot. I’d like to be the first to thank coastal. I’m sure the rest of the town will line up right behind me 😆

  64. Ok, in Pembroke at my dad’s house where there is power.

    Marshfield is a mess. Most of the town is completely dark. The 32F to 34F heavy wet snow, combined with the fierce coastal winds have brought down trees, big trees in many spots. Some roads are unplowed because the plows cant yet get down them due to either down trees or wires.

    Many of us who gathered at a friend’s house who had a generator going were all saying we could see our breath in our house’s as the day wore on.

    NSTAR is saying up to 5 days to get everyone back on. It should be an interesting next few days, but I’d assume you’ll see school cancellations in south shore coastal towns for a few days this coming week.

    This is a storm and now impact I will remember for a while.

    1. Tom take care of yourself. We have been watching to see how your area is doing on the news and their coverage is nonexistent. Be safe!

      1. Thanks Vicki. The National Guard is all around town in their humvees. Its wild, the tree damage is unquestionably worst than either Sandy or Irene.

        1. Oh wow. I am not sure anyone saw that coming. I’m glad you are where there is heat and most importantly family.

  65. Since the Euro is about to be inducted into the Meteorological Hall of Fame, I do want to point out that the model is showing a little different (closer) track and a little more intensity for the 17th/18th than in a previous run. The bridesmaid, GFS, is showing something similar.

    Given that the Euro was relentlessly steady in it’s forecast of this past storm for about 100,000 runs in a row, I’d say we have something to keep an eye on. If the Euro were to hang tough say through Thurs, then I would say we have an event on our hands, though certainly lesser than what we just experienced.

  67. For all those who love snow and thought this epic storm was the best thing ever…show your appreciation for snow and come help ne shovel out again tomorrow. Think of the fun! I spent 5 hours today and not even half way done. Takers??? 🙂 I’d take a weekly 4-8 over this…too much.

  69. I actually helped 3 people dig their cars out in my condo complex today. We had just over 2 feet of snow here. It was nice to see so many people helping each other which is a good thing to do in a situation like this.
    People without power tonight its going to be rough with the expected low temperatures and clear the snow tomorrow with the rain coming in its only going to make that snow heavier.

    1. JJ. How much rain are we supposed to get Monday? We have some heavy pockets of snow on our biggest roof but history has shown that if we remove only part of it the ice dams build up past the snow/ice barrier and them the water finds its way in the house

  70. Hi Vicki…. I am think between 1/4 -1/2 inch of rain. Speaking of roofs a guy is coming over to my mom’s to clear it with the two feet of snow she got. She had a situation two years ago in January when we kept getting all those snowstorms with very little with water getting into the house. No she doesn’t take chances.

    1. I dont blame her. We had about $8000 damage two winters ago. We had roof work done that will hopefully avoid it but it was odd.. They guy did about $1000 worth of work and was going to come back and out those heat wires in the roof that is the biggest problem. I kept calling but he never came back to put up the wire and he never came to collect the money. So it hasn’t been tested since there was no snow last winter

  71. * Don’t think much rain falls Monday.

    * Leaning toward OTS for midweek system.

    * Weekend system, though far away, carries a lot of potential.

    * New blog is posted!

  72. Oh and have a great night. I’m off to help a couple of people shovel through snowbanks on the roadside… then find a way to warm up.

    WeatherWiz… I’ll be right in your area around 9PM, digging a car out of a driveway just off W street. 🙂

  74. this snow starts to melt tomorrow but only a little. it will make some of the snow a little more wet. for some weak snowforts and snowballs, but next week looks partly to mostly sunny with highs in the low 40s across most of the region. 3 events. one on monday will be a mix of rain and snow showers to rain showers(front) . the next two possibilites of storms are to far south and does not give the region much of anything. sunday storm maybe but thursday storm. i do not think it will be close enough. expect half the snow to be gone by the end of the week. lows will be in the 20s and 30s highs will be in the 30s and 40s. so at nights any melt could freeze over. good luck for those who do not have power.

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