How much snow do we get in Mass., NH? – NBC Boston

Excitement is mounting as our likelihood of snow continues to rise Sunday night in New England. First we enjoy some warming and a small chance of rain on Saturday.

Weekend outlook

Today our temperatures are warm enough to melt away some ice and some snow on Cape Cod tonight (about 0.5”). The overnight low temperatures will drop below freezing, but will quickly return on a strong southerly wind on Saturday. Highs jump into the 40s and we have scattered showers moving in late afternoon into late night. After that system, we open the door to colder air and ready for snow on Sunday. The morning starts with highs in the 30s and increasing clouds as a coastal low develops off the Carolina coast.

Timing and total snowfall

We have issued a first alert for Sunday’s blizzard.

The whole day remains dry, with some clouds and fairly calm conditions. Then in the evening our storm goes our way. At 19:00 a few snow showers move in the south to the north as a north-easterly wind takes hold. As the low strengthens and passes “the benchmark”, it fluctuates in more wind and snow. Some sea-enhanced bands are possible and this will help churn out higher snow rates, helping to cool our temperatures to boost some snow totals.

By midnight, our mix continues to turn into more snow on the South Shore, in Boston, and on the Cape and Islands. This rain/snow line will settle near the upper Cape initially and then move southeast overnight.

The back half of the storm is where we get the 1-3 inches for southeastern Massachusetts. Meanwhile in Boston we are seeing steady snowfall for several hours and for areas inland.

Monday morning we will plow out of 3-6 centimeters of snow. Some areas could see more based on fluffier snow consistency inland.

The storm will weaken and disappear by midday Monday. This leads to more arctic air and highs in the 20s.

Wind and coastal concerns

As is typical with a low tide from the coast, we have a period of north-easterly gusts. The pressure center will lower enough for coastal gusts up to 30-40 mph, with spots inland up to 20 mph overnight Sunday. While not completely damaging wind, it will be a nuisance wind on top of periods of heavy snow.

The coastline will experience some beach erosion as waves rise Monday morning as the low moves into the Canadian Maritimes. No coastal flooding is expected as the tide is astronomically low.

Polar vortex brings the coldest air for 2 years

Prepare yourself for a bad cold. The coldest air in two years creeps in on Monday with highs in the 20s, but wait… there’s more. Highs will drop into the teens Tuesday and Wednesday, with lows around zero in southern New England.

An initial alert has been issued for both days, with wind chills expected to be below zero.

We’ll change temperatures later next week as nearby storm systems bring some precipitation opportunities to the Northeast. Stay tuned for our more active weather pattern next week.

Follow Sunday’s snowstorm with live radar