[7:45 PM] January 31, 202 – Significant Winter Storm Monday into Tuesday

The National Weather Service (NWS) is forecasting a winter storm to impact the Commonwealth starting early Monday and lasting into Tuesday. Massachusetts is expected to receive a widespread 12-18 inches of heavy wet snow accumulation with lesser amounts (6 to 8 inches) in the Connecticut River valley and Southeast Massachusetts. The Cape and Islands may see up to 6 inches of snow before precipitation transitions to rain. The main concern is the potential of significant snow accumulations, however, there also is the risk for strong winds along with coastal flooding and beach erosion along the eastern MA coastline. 30-35 mph wind gusts are expected across much of the state; gusts may reach between 40 to 55 mph along the eastern coastline and up to 60-65 mph on Cape Ann, the Outer Cape, and Nantucket.

Snowfall is predicted to overspread the state from southwest to northeast starting Monday morning, with the heaviest snowfall (up to 2-3” per hour) likely occurring between Monday afternoon and evening. Snowfall will begin tapering off Monday night and end across much of the state by Tuesday afternoon.

Impacts/ Potential Impacts

• Snowfall: Widespread significant snow accumulations of 12-18 inches possible resulting in hazardous travel conditions, particularly during the Monday evening commute.
• Strong winds: Winds will be gusting from the northeast. Isolated to scattered power outages possible along with a few downed trees. Impacts will be greatest in eastern MA later Monday into Tuesday.
• Coastal flooding: Widespread minor to moderate coastal flooding and beach erosion are expected along the eastern MA coastline including Nantucket Monday night into Tuesday.

Advisories, Watches and Warnings

Winter Weather Advisory Issued: January 31 at 4:53PM EST Expiring: February 01 at 7:00PM EST Urgency: Expected Status: Actual Areas affected: Barnstable; Dukes

Winter Storm Warning Issued: January 31 at 4:53PM EST Expiring: February 02 at 1:00AM EST Urgency: Expected Status: Actual Areas affected: Eastern Plymouth; Northern Bristol; Southern Bristol; Southern Plymouth; Western Plymouth

Winter Storm Warning Issued: January 31 at 4:53PM EST Expiring: February 02 at 5:00AM EST Urgency: Expected Status: Actual Areas affected: Central Middlesex County; Eastern Essex; Eastern Franklin; Eastern Hampden; Eastern Hampshire; Eastern Norfolk; Northern Worcester; Northwest Middlesex County; Southeast Middlesex; Southern Worcester; Suffolk; Western Essex; Western Franklin; Western Hampden; Western Hampshire; Western Norfolk

Winter Storm Warning Issued: January 31 at 4:11PM EST Expiring: February 02 at 7:00PM EST Urgency: Expected Status: Actual Areas affected: Northern Berkshire; Southern Berkshire

Coastal Flood Watch Issued: January 31 at 3:52PM EST Expiring: February 02 at 5:00AM EST Urgency: Future Status: Actual Areas affected: Dukes; Nantucket

Coastal Flood Watch Issued: January 31 at 3:52PM EST Expiring: February 02 at 4:00PM EST Urgency: Future Status: Actual Areas affected: Barnstable; Eastern Essex; Eastern Norfolk; Eastern Plymouth; Suffolk

High Wind Warning Issued: January 31 at 3:39PM EST Expiring: February 02 at 2:00AM EST Urgency: Expected Status: Actual Areas affected: Barnstable; Dukes; Nantucket

 

Preparedness and Safety Information

Safety and preparedness tips for nor’easters and coastal storms: http://www.mass.gov/index.php/service-details/noreaster-coastal-storm-safety-tips Safety and preparedness tips for extreme cold: http://www.mass.gov/index.php/service-details/extreme-cold-safety-tips Winter storm preparedness and safety information: http://www.mass.gov/index.php/service-details/winter-storm-safety-tips Safe winter driving tips: https://www.mass.gov/service-details/safe-winter-driving-tips Winter safety tips for pets: https://www.mass.gov/service-details/winter-pet-safety-tips Power outage preparedness and safety information: http://www.mass.gov/index.php/service-details/power-outage-safety-tips Flood safety tips: http://www.mass.gov/index.php/service-details/flood-safety-tips

 

Stay Informed

For additional information and updated forecasts, see www.weather.gov/boston (National Weather Service Norton) and www.weather.gov/albany (National Weather Service Albany) Utilize MEMA’s real-time power outage viewer to stay informed about current power outages in your community and region, and across the state, including information from utility companies about restoration times: http://mema.mapsonline.net/public.html

Online Resource

Massachusetts Emergency Management Agency at www.mass.gov/mema MEMA’s Facebook page: http://www.facebook.com/MassachusettsEMA MEMA Twitter: @MassEMA Federal Emergency Management Agency at www.fema.gov National Weather Service Boston/ Norton, MA  at www.weather.gov/boston National Weather Service/Albany, NY at www.weather.gov/albany National Weather Service Weather Prediction Center: www.wpc.ncep.noaa.gov/National Weather Service Storm Prediction Center:  www.spc.noaa.gov/ Northeast River Forecast Center: www.weather.gov/nerfc/National Hurricane Center: www.nhc.noaa.govMass211 at www.mass211.org

 

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