I have a tendency to start telling a quick anecdote and then 15 minutes later, I’m still not done with my story. Many people have the talent to make a “long story short,” but I lack that skill… and so does this next snow event. That could be the good news with this one though, meaning it’s not a storm we’re bracing for. Personally, I think it hurts worse to be hit with an entire dump truck of snow all at once, than to get hit with a few buckets over a longer period of time.
Again, it’s not a storm that’s on its way, really. We’re not expecting blizzard-like conditions, coastal flooding, or a milk and egg shortage at the grocery store. We’re not bracing for a travel ban. With that said though, travel will be slowed for the beginning of the work-week. It is, after all, four days of steady snow which will eventually pile up. We are expecting around a foot (or more) in most locations.
If we had to compare this event to a storybook:
Chapter 1: The story begins tomorrow afternoon/evening, with flurries and light snow showers.
Chapter 2: The snow will pick up the pace into Sunday, with the steadier snow falling along the Pike and to the north of there. Hardest hit areas will be along the northern Massachusetts border, because these areas will be a part of the entire event. These areas will pick up between 3-6″ throughout Sunday.
Chapter 3: The climax of our story is when the steady, widespread snow will pick up the pace. This happens throughout Monday. Most areas will pick up between 5-8″ of snow. Now, there is a rain-snow line that will work into SE Mass. on Monday, making for the wetter, heavier snow. This means snow totals will be closer to the tune of 5-8″ in SE Mass. The Cape and Islands will see mostly rain or wintry mix on Monday, and snow totals at tune of 2-3″.
Chapter 4: Overnight Monday into Tuesday, the snow continues. Yes, we’re still going – making that short story TOO LONG. I’m sure by Monday night most of us will be audibly shouting, “Enough already!”
Chapter 5: The conclusion of this long story won’t arrive until Tuesday morning but before the snow shuts off, we could pick up another inch or so.
All said and done, most areas will see around a foot of snow by Tuesday morning. Areas along the Mass./NH border could pick up 14-20″. It’s really a storybook we’d rather leave on the shelf at the library to collect dust, but we don’t have that choice here. I guess the best thing we can do now is prepare for another foot of snow; making sure the roof is cleared and the car is dug out… so much to do, and where will we put it?
I also wish I could wrap up the story with a final “THE END,” but it’s hardly the end of winter. We’ve “only just begun.” The coldest temps of the season will hit us with a hefty blow next weekend.
I’ll tell you a better story next time… I hope. – Bri