Talkin' Winter Storm Warning

Contemplating the first snow
(Photo by M.D., Amherst MA - 2/2013)

All week, you’ve been hearing that something big is on the way. Most likely you’ve also been spreading the news. Let’s face it, talking about the weather is a way of life in New England – and when a storm is brewing, it’s topic number one everywhere. I was reminded of this on Tuesday, when I stepped onto an elevator and into this four-way conversation:

Person #1:     Cold enough out there for you?

Person #2:     Brrrr. So cold.

Person #3:     Getting colder the end of the week.

Me:                 By Thursday, it’s going to feel like the Arctic.

Person #3:     You hear about the storm coming this weekend?

Person #2:     Of course. We might get a foot.

Me:                 First big storm of the season, in December no less.

Person #3:     What does that mean for the rest of the season?

Person #2:     Get out the shovels.

Person #1:     Hey, we got shovels. This is New England, after all.

Get out the shovels indeed. Now the thing we’ve been talking about all week is official – a Winter Storm Watch has now been issued for our area, as well as most of Massachusetts, Connecticut, Rhode Island, and New Hampshire. Snow is expected to overspread southern New England starting late Saturday afternoon, becoming steadier and heavier Saturday night into Sunday morning before tapering off Sunday afternoon. Although the Amherst area is most likely to see an all-snow event, snow will likely change to sleet and freezing rain for a period of time from late Saturday night into Sunday morning across Connecticut, Rhode Island and possibly as far north as the Mass Pike including the Greater Boston area.

[NOTE: Update as of Friday evening, 12/13: 
Our winter storm watch is now a winter storm warning. In effect from 1 pm tomorrow, Saturday, until 1 pm on Sunday. Predictions are for 6-10 inches around our area. Note that this is slightly earlier than previously forecast, so you may want to get your essential activities out of the way earlier in the day if possible. Snow is expected to overspread the region by afternoon, though the heaviest will fall in the overnight hours.]

This is a classic nor’easter, so this system will also bring winds from the northeast of 15-25 MPH with gusts up to 35 mph. The strongest winds will be in the coastal areas, across Rhode Island and Eastern Massachusetts. Meanwhile temps will be in the 20s but rising into the lower and mid-30s across Rhode Island and Eastern Massachusetts where visibility will also be significantly reduced due to wind and heavy snow.

Although there is still some uncertainty about how much we will get here in the Pioneer Valley, the forecast is currently predicting 6-12 inches. One thing is definite – travel will become difficult and treacherous by late Saturday, so plan accordingly.

Snowfall probability for the weekend, as of Friday morning
National Weather Service, Taunton Office

Look for our Winter Storm Watch to become a Winter Storm Warning over the next day, as we get closer to the main event.