2:25AM<\/p>\n
DAYS 1-5 (JANUARY 4-8)
\nStorm day. Deepening low pressure wobbles its way north and northeast off the US East Coast today and passes New England by tonight, resulting in a major winter storm for the region. It is time to make a list of the expectations of this unfolding weather event…
\nStart time of precipitation: 3AM to 7AM south to north as patchy areas of snow except rain Cape Cod.
\nIncrease in coverage of precipitation: 7AM-9AM entire region under light to moderate snow except rain Cape Cod as far west as a line from near Plymouth MA to near Newport RI.
\nPeak of precipitation: 9AM-5PM generally moderate widespread snow except rain changing to snow Cape Cod with banding of heavier snow where snowfall rates of 1 to 3 inches per hour may take place, and some in-between bands of lighter snowfall or even breaks in snow entirely.
\nWind-down of precipitation: Area of snow erodes from west to east 5PM-8PM with a few lingering final bands of moderate snow possible.
\nEnd of precipitation: Final patches of snow exit by or before 10PM in eastern areas.
\nSnowfall accumulation: Generally 8-14 inches much of the region with medium to fluffy consistency of snow, except areas of under 8 inches possible far to the west, a 4-8 inch area of wetter snow from near Plymouth MA to Newport RI eastward to the western part of Cape Cod, and 2-4 inches of wet snow eastern part of Cape Cod through Martha’s Vineyard, and 1-3 inches of wet snow late in the storm on Nantucket. The most likely areas near the top of the snowfall range will be the North Shore of MA, South Shore of MA, and Boston’s immediate southern suburbs, as well as an area in north central MA in the higher elevations.
\nMaximum wind gusts: Northeast to north winds early in the storm becoming more north to northwest mid to late storm when maximum gusts of 30-45 MPH interior and 45-60 MPH coastal areas, with some gusts in excess of 60 MPH possible immediate coastal locations.
\nCoastal impact: Minor flooding likely along the entire coast with areas of moderate to significant flooding closer to high tide times favoring north-facing shores. Ice shoves are also possible (areas of recently-formed ice being pushed ashore by tide and wind).
\nPower outages: Isolated to scattered outages possible anywhere, but most likely location is southeastern MA where rain changes to wetter snow and wind gusts are strongest.
\nThundersnow: Low risk but possible in heaviest bands of snow during the height of the storm midday to mid afternoon.
\nVisibility: Blizzard conditions with drastically reduced visibility to white-out conditions from sustained winds or frequent wind gusts of 35 MPH or greater for at least 3 consecutive hours will be likely along the NH Seacoast and eastern MA coastline to the Cape Cod Canal and the South Coast of MA. While Cape Cod itself may see these conditions develop late in the storm it will probably not occur for long enough to be classified as an official blizzard. Some interior locations may approach these conditions but not for long enough periods of time for official blizzard status.
\nPost-storm: Blowing and drifting snow will continue through Friday long after the storm has ended, and in some cases this can result in reduced visibility in a small area making travel briefly dangerous, or cover the ground with snow making for an area of slippery conditions. Keep an eye out for this if traveling on Friday.
\nForecast details…
\nTODAY: Overcast. Snow except rain changing to snow far southeastern areas. Snow will be heavy at times in bands. See above for details of snow accumulation and other storm impacts. Highs 22-29 interior, 30-37 coast, mildest Cape Cod, in the morning, with slowly falling temperatures during the afternoon. Wind N increasing to 15-30 MPH interior and 25-40 MPH coast with higher gusts (see above for peak expected gusts).
\nTONIGHT: Snow ending evening. Clearing overnight. Temperatures fall to 15-22. Wind N to NW 25-35 MPH, higher gusts. Blowing and drifting snow where dry snow fell and a flash freeze where wetter snow fell.
\nFRIDAY: Mostly sunny. Temperatures fall to 5-12. Wind NW 25-35 MPH, higher gusts. Wind chill falling well below 0 at times. Blowing and drifting snow where dry snow fell.
\nFRIDAY NIGHT: Mostly clear. Lows -5 to +5. Wind NW 20-30 MPH, higher gusts. Wind chill -10 to -20 at times.
\nSATURDAY: Partly cloudy. Isolated snow showers. Highs 5-13. Wind NW 15-25 MPH, higher gusts. Wind chill as low as -10 at times.
\nSUNDAY: Mostly sunny. Lows -15 to 0. Highs 10-20.
\nMONDAY: Increasing clouds. Chance of snow\/mix\/rain late. Temperatures rise into the 20s morning, 30s afternoon.<\/p>\n
DAYS 6-10 (JANUARY 9-13)
\nRain\/snow\/mix followed by clearing January 9. Fair January 10-11. Unsettled weather returns later in the period. Temperatures below to near normal.<\/p>\n
DAYS 11-15 (JANUARY 14-18)
\nUnsettled weather favoring snow\/mix early in the period, then generally dry and colder.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
2:25AM DAYS 1-5 (JANUARY 4-8) Storm day. Deepening low pressure wobbles its way north and northeast off the US East Coast today and passes New England by tonight, resulting in a major winter storm for the region. It is time to make a list of the expectations of this unfolding weather event… Start time of … Continue reading Thursday Forecast<\/span>