The Massachusetts Department of Transportation reports that extremely heavy snowfall rates will occur starting this morning, with snow falling at a rate of 2-4+ inches per hour, and continuing to fall at this rate for several hours before tapering off in the afternoon.
Peak snowfall will occur between 10 a.m. and 3 p.m. Precipitation will end in southeastern Massachusetts by mid-afternoon, but will linger into tonight across much of the rest of the Commonwealth.
The coastline will experience high winds in the late morning and early afternoon, tapering off in the evening, with the outer Cape and Nantucket experiencing sustained winds of 40-45 mph and gusts up of 60-70+ MPH, Cape Ann experiencing 45-50 MPH sustained winds and 60-65 MPH gusts. Other areas of MA will experience 25-30 MPH sustained winds with gusts of 30-50 MPH.
Minor to moderate coastal flooding is expected with this storm during the early Tuesday afternoon and 1 a.m. Wednesday high tides. The most vulnerable areas for coastal flooding would be east and northeast facing coastlines for the Tuesday afternoon high tide, and north and northeast facing coastlines for the early Wednesday morning high tide.
The storm is expected to produce:
- Widespread 12-24 inches of snow north and west of Rt. 495, with higher totals falling in western Massachusetts. Some areas of far western MA may see totals as high as 30 inches. Approximately 6-12 inches of heavy wet snow will fall in the Boston-Providence corridor. Southeastern Massachusetts and the Cape and Islands will see lower totals as snow transitions to rain Tuesday afternoon.
- Very heavy snowfall rates of 2-4+ inches per hour, continuing for up to several hours.
- Isolated thunderstorms.
- Damaging wind gusts (30-50 MPH inland; 50-70+ MPH along the coast).
- Potential for minor to moderate coastal flooding, especially during Tuesday afternoon/early Wednesday high tides.
Potential Impacts:
- Hazardous travel due to near-zero visibility at times.
- Downed trees and power outages, especially in areas where snowfall is wet and heavy or where snow is expected to transition to rain.
- Blowing and drifting snow is a concern; up to 3 foot drifts possible.
- A few flooded shore roads, possible pockets of more significant flooding.
- Urban and poor drainage flooding is possible in areas that receive heavy rain this afternoon.
- Potential icy conditions overnight as temperatures in southeastern Massachusetts drop into the teens Tuesday night.
Governor Baker has announced that Executive Branch offices will be closed for all non-emergency personnel for today, Tuesday, March 14.
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