BOSTON (WHDH) - Blizzard and winter storm warnings have been issued in Massachusetts ahead of a nor’easter that is expected to bring up to two feet or more of snow, intense wind gusts, and coastal flooding to New England on Saturday.
“We’re going to be tracking 1 to 2 feet of snow, widespread, across the area,” 7Weather Meteorologist Chris Lambert said. “Pretty much everywhere, from sunrise to sunset, is going to be the height of the storm. This is going to be an all-day event.”
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Barnstable, Dukes, Essex, Norfolk, Plymouth, Middlesex, Bristol, and Suffolk counties are under a blizzard warning from 12 a.m. Saturday until 12 a.m. Sunday. The heaviest snowfall is expected to be from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. with rates of 2 to 4 inches per hour is possible at times. Nantucket is not included in the blizzard warning.
The National Weather Service warned of considerable blowing and drifting snow, along with near white-out conditions at times.
The blizzard warning marks the first issued in Boston since January 2018.
Eastern, Central, parts of Western Massachusetts, and Nantucket are under a winter storm warning from 12 a.m. Saturday to 12 a.m. Sunday. Snowfall rates of 1 to 2 inches per hour is possible in these areas.
The winter storm is expected to intensify as it moves up the East Coast late Friday night. Flakes will start flying in the Bay State just after midnight Saturday with steady snow and wind ramping up through the morning into midday. It will remain in place through Saturday evening when snowfall will become patchy.
Total snow accumulations of 18 to 24 inches are possible in Boston, the Metro West, the Merrimack Valley, the North Shore, the South Shore, the South Coast, and on parts of Cape Cod. Some areas could see isolated pockets of 30 inches of snow.
Worcester and others areas across Central Massachusetts will likely see 12-18 inches of snow. Up to a foot of snow is possible for parts of Western Massachusetts.
Winds are also slated to intensify by midday Saturday with 50-60 mph gusts expected at the coast and 60-70 mph gusts possible across Cape Cod and the Islands. Points inland can expect 35-50 mph gusts.
A coastal flood warning has been issued for Barnstable, Dukes, Essex, Norfolk, Plymouth, Nantucket, and Suffolk counties until 11 a.m. Saturday. A coastal flood advisory remains in effect until 7 p.m.
Beach erosion and minor to moderate coastal flooding are possible during high tide at 8 a.m. and 9 p.m. Saturday.
Cars and buildings may take on water in these areas.
Travel could be very difficult to impossible due to the flooding and the strong winds could cause tree damage and power outages, the National Weather Service warned.
The storm is expected to wrap up overnight Saturday with dry conditions by daybreak on Sunday.
Visit the 7Weather page for the latest storm updates.
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