We are officially half-way through Meteorological Winter (from Dec. 1-Feb. 29th, because it’s a Leap Year!). Here we are. Still waiting on "significant snow." You know, I can’t help but see some similarities to the pattern we saw for the first half of last winter: The cold air is fleeting, the storms bring rain, we wait for snow… yaddi-yaddi-yadda. If you remember last year well (because who could forget?), we waited until January 24th for our first "significant snow" – and then the blizzard arrived just a few days later – and then FEBRUARY (it gives me chills just thinking of it). Listen, I’m NOT saying we’re in for a repeat of last winter. In fact, I think that is so very unlikely to have record snowfall jammed into such a short period of time… To repeat last winter for a second year in a row would be like bowling a perfect game. It just doesn’t look likely. What I am saying though, is that all it takes is a pattern shift to change the forecast around. That may be in store for us as the cold moves in for next week. But, I’m getting ahead of myself…
For now, it’s another storm that brings mostly rain (and a lot of it) and a little bit of winter-y weather to some spots. The rain will move in overnight tonight, and some scattered showers at the onset could make for icy spots (freezing rain) N & W of 495. If you’re out late tonight or very early tomorrow morning, please be mindful of this on untreated surfaces. The heaviest rain with this quick-moving system moves in between 5am – 11am. This really is a wet system, which could bring between 1-2" of rain to E. Mass. (including Boston). It’s a cold rain, but it looks like temps inside of 495 will climb a little toward daybreak, putting the temp around 40° for most. But as this system pulls away, it also strengthens and drags the cold air in upon its departure. That’s why there will be a changeover to wet, heavy snow for NW Mass. into Worcester County. While it looks most likely for locations outside of 495 to get any slushy accumulation, some spots along 495 (north of the Mass. Pike) could get some slush as well. There is a Winter Weather Advisory issued that will be in effect form 11pm-Noon tomorrow (see graphics below).
All of this wet & winter-y weather tapers after Noon, and we’re dry by game-time! Temps hold fairly steady in the mid to upper 30s throughout the day. It is a "Nor’Easter-type" storm, but it’s not really a Nor’Easter. We’re not talking about coastal concerns, or feet of snow here. Nevertheless, there will be some winds out of the NE with this one, possibly gusting between 30-40mph along the South Shore, Cape Ann, Cape Cod and islands.
Have a wonderful weekend, and GO PATS! – Breezy
