Key Takeaways:
- A storm on Tuesday may bring plowable snow to parts of Massachusetts, potentially making for a white Christmas
- The snow is expected to arrive in central Massachusetts between 8 and 10 a.m. and in eastern Massachusetts between 10 a.m. and noon
- Snow amounts will be light but plowable in some areas, with a general 1 to 3 inches expected across southern New England
- There is a chance that a few towns north and west of Boston could see up to 4 inches of snow
- Travelers along or east of I-95 on Wednesday may encounter wind-whipped, ocean-effect snow showers that could briefly whiten the roadways and reduce visibility
Introduction to the Storm
A storm is expected to hit Massachusetts on Tuesday, bringing with it the possibility of plowable snow and a white Christmas. While this will not be a major snowstorm, it is still important to be aware of the potential for whitened roadways and slower travel, especially given the hustle and bustle of the holiday season. The storm is expected to arrive in central Massachusetts between 8 and 10 a.m. and in eastern Massachusetts between 10 a.m. and noon, with snow falling steadily throughout the afternoon.
Snowfall and Road Conditions
The snow will fall mainly lightly, but it will still be enough to cover many untreated roadways and surfaces. Some rain will mix in along the South Coast, Cape Cod, and the Islands, which may reduce the amount of snow that accumulates in these areas. As the storm moves out to sea, it is expected to taper off from west to east, with the snow ending in central Massachusetts between 8 and 10 p.m. and in eastern Massachusetts between 10 p.m. and midnight. However, there is a chance that one last band of snow could move through the area on Wednesday morning and early afternoon.
Travel Impacts
Travelers along or east of I-95 on Wednesday may encounter some wind-whipped, ocean-effect snow showers that could briefly whiten the roadways and reduce visibility. This could make for hazardous travel conditions, especially for those who are not used to driving in snowy conditions. However, beyond this, there are no other major weather issues forecasted for Wednesday night or Thursday. Christmas Day is expected to be rather chilly, but seasonal, with a bit of a gusty breeze at times.
Snow Amounts and Forecast
Snow amounts are expected to be light but plowable in some areas, with a general 1 to 3 inches expected across southern New England north of Providence and Plymouth. There will be some rain mixing in to the south, which will reduce the amount of snow that accumulates in these areas. In far southeastern Massachusetts, a coating to an inch of snow is expected, but most of this will be washed away. However, there is a chance that a few towns north and west of Boston could see up to 4 inches of snow, which could make for more significant travel disruptions.
Conclusion and Outlook
In conclusion, a storm on Tuesday may bring plowable snow to parts of Massachusetts, potentially making for a white Christmas. While the snow amounts are not expected to be significant, it is still important to be aware of the potential for hazardous travel conditions, especially for those traveling along or east of I-95 on Wednesday. With the storm moving out to sea and no other major weather issues forecasted, Christmas Day is expected to be rather chilly but seasonal, with a bit of a gusty breeze at times. Overall, it is shaping up to be a festive and winter-like holiday season in Massachusetts.
