New computer guidance indicates some of Massachusetts’ biggest cities may avoid the greatest impact from a nor’easter that will move up the East Coast, but strong winds, power outages and treacherous travel will still be a concern. The latest computer projections suggest the heaviest snow will fall mainly south of the Massachusetts Turnpike. National Weather Service meteorologists have cut back the areas under a winter storm warning due to the shifting track of the storm. Parts of eastern Massachusetts, mainly from the greater Boston area south toward Cape Cod and the Islands are under a winter storm warning from 1 a.m. Tuesday to 1 a.m. Wednesday.Numerous school districts have declared a snow day for Tuesday. Gov. Maura Healey and Boston Mayor Michelle Wu have both announced that non-essential employees of the city and state will not report to their workplaces on Tuesday.Info: Closings | Alerts | Hour-by-hour futurecastA high wind warning has also been issued for Cape Cod and the Islands.“Although we don’t anticipate a record-breaking snowfall, our administration has been taking early steps to ensure we are prepared to keep the people of Massachusetts safe – and we encourage everyone to do the same,” said Healey. “Recognizing that we’re no strangers to snowy winters, I’m asking Massachusetts residents to take steps to protect yourselves and your loved ones by making sure your homes stay safely heated and traveling on roads with extra care. Please also take some time to check in on your neighbors to make sure everyone stays warm and safe.”The storm will approach southern New England early Tuesday. Precipitation may start as rain, especially toward the Massachusetts coast, but will quickly transition to heavy, wet snow.The storm will be at its peak between 8 a.m. and 2 p.m. when the snow will be at its heaviest.”This is a quick-hitting storm system, and it is going to be coming in in a burst with snowfall rates of 1 to 2 inches per hour, and maybe briefly higher than that in spots, falling between 8 a.m. and 2 p.m.,” said StormTeam 5 chief meteorologist Cindy Fitzgibbon. By the afternoon, the snow will be shifting east toward the immediate coastline, then moving out by the evening. “We are going to bring in that heavier snow and the stronger winds right around high tide. Winds could gust to 60 mph on Cape Cod, and it is (because of) the timing of the wind and the high tide that we have concern,” Fitzgibbon said.Moderate coastal flooding and beach erosion will likely occur, especially during Tuesday’s early afternoon high tide. Coastal flood warnings will be posted Tuesday afternoon for Cape Cod, the Islands and the east-facing coastline of Massachusetts. “As we approach the high tide, we will see wind gusts of over 40 to even 5 mph. It is really southeastern Massachusetts that has the greatest potential to see moderate to significant coastal flooding,” StormTeam 5 meteorologist Kelly Ann Cicalese said.Wind gusts upwards or 45 mph or greater are expected during the storm, especially for Cape Cod and the islands, where gusts may reach 60 mph. A high wind warning for the Cape and Islands will be in effect between 7 a.m. – 10 p.m.The storm follows record-high temperatures just days before. The city of Boston had a high temperature of 60 degrees Saturday, which tied the Feb. 10 record high that was first set in 1990 and tied just last year. The city of Worcester hit 57 degrees Saturday, which broke the previous Feb. 10 record high that was set a year ago. Tuesday night will turn drier as the storm moves out. The wind will be slow to calm as we turn colder in the wake of the storm for Valentine’s Day and beyond.
New computer guidance indicates some of Massachusetts’ biggest cities may avoid the greatest impact from a nor’easter that will move up the East Coast, but strong winds, power outages and treacherous travel will still be a concern.
The latest computer projections suggest the heaviest snow will fall mainly south of the Massachusetts Turnpike.
National Weather Service meteorologists have cut back the areas under a winter storm warning due to the shifting track of the storm.
Parts of eastern Massachusetts, mainly from the greater Boston area south toward Cape Cod and the Islands are under a winter storm warning from 1 a.m. Tuesday to 1 a.m. Wednesday.
Numerous school districts have declared a snow day for Tuesday. Gov. Maura Healey and Boston Mayor Michelle Wu have both announced that non-essential employees of the city and state will not report to their workplaces on Tuesday.
Info: Closings | Alerts | Hour-by-hour futurecast
A high wind warning has also been issued for Cape Cod and the Islands.
“Although we don’t anticipate a record-breaking snowfall, our administration has been taking early steps to ensure we are prepared to keep the people of Massachusetts safe – and we encourage everyone to do the same,” said Healey. “Recognizing that we’re no strangers to snowy winters, I’m asking Massachusetts residents to take steps to protect yourselves and your loved ones by making sure your homes stay safely heated and traveling on roads with extra care. Please also take some time to check in on your neighbors to make sure everyone stays warm and safe.”
The storm will approach southern New England early Tuesday. Precipitation may start as rain, especially toward the Massachusetts coast, but will quickly transition to heavy, wet snow.
The storm will be at its peak between 8 a.m. and 2 p.m. when the snow will be at its heaviest.
“This is a quick-hitting storm system, and it is going to be coming in in a burst with snowfall rates of 1 to 2 inches per hour, and maybe briefly higher than that in spots, falling between 8 a.m. and 2 p.m.,” said StormTeam 5 chief meteorologist Cindy Fitzgibbon.
By the afternoon, the snow will be shifting east toward the immediate coastline, then moving out by the evening.
“We are going to bring in that heavier snow and the stronger winds right around high tide. Winds could gust to 60 mph on Cape Cod, and it is (because of) the timing of the wind and the high tide that we have concern,” Fitzgibbon said.
Moderate coastal flooding and beach erosion will likely occur, especially during Tuesday’s early afternoon high tide.
Coastal flood warnings will be posted Tuesday afternoon for Cape Cod, the Islands and the east-facing coastline of Massachusetts.
“As we approach the high tide, we will see wind gusts of over 40 to even 5 mph. It is really southeastern Massachusetts that has the greatest potential to see moderate to significant coastal flooding,” StormTeam 5 meteorologist Kelly Ann Cicalese said.
Wind gusts upwards or 45 mph or greater are expected during the storm, especially for Cape Cod and the islands, where gusts may reach 60 mph. A high wind warning for the Cape and Islands will be in effect between 7 a.m. – 10 p.m.
The storm follows record-high temperatures just days before. The city of Boston had a high temperature of 60 degrees Saturday, which tied the Feb. 10 record high that was first set in 1990 and tied just last year. The city of Worcester hit 57 degrees Saturday, which broke the previous Feb. 10 record high that was set a year ago.
Tuesday night will turn drier as the storm moves out. The wind will be slow to calm as we turn colder in the wake of the storm for Valentine’s Day and beyond.