[January 5, 2022 – 5:00 PM ] MEMA WEATHER UPDATE: 1-2″ of snow parts of Cape Thursday – Friday
The Multi-Agency Coordination Center (MACC) is monitoring the weather situation for the Cape and Islands region.
The following report is provided by Massachusetts Emergency Management Agency.
The National Weather Service (NWS) is forecasting a winter storm to impact the state late Thursday night through Friday afternoon. Snowfall is expected to begin in western and central Massachusetts (MA) between midnight and 2 AM late Thursday night, overspreading the entire state by 5 AM Friday. The heaviest snowfall will occur between 6 and 10 AM Friday morning, with snowfall rates of up to 1” per hour possible in the I-95 corridor. The end timing for this event will vary from 9 AM to 5 PM, west to east, as the storm pulls away Friday.
While the NWS has a high degree of confidence in accumulating snow for much of the region there remains uncertainty regarding exact storm track and snowfall amounts.
Snow is not expected to be wet and heavy. Total snowfall accumulation from this event is forecast to be 2-3” in western MA, and 4- 6” in central and eastern MA, with locally higher amounts possible. More rain than snow is expected for the Cape and Islands however, some areas of the Cape can expect up to 1- 2” of snow.
During the storm, sustained winds are expected to be 10 to15mph with wind gusts of 20 to 25mph.
Dry, cold, and blustery conditions are forecast for Friday night into Saturday.
Potential Impacts
- The combination of snow and reduced visibility will result in hazardous travel impacting the Friday AM commute.
- Temperatures will be cold enough that snow will stick immediately on untreated paved surfaces.
- 1 inch per hour or greater snowfall rates possible along the I-95 corridor.
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MEMA Operations The State Emergency Operations Center (SEOC) is operating at Level 1 (Steady State Monitoring). MEMA will continue to monitor the situation and will disseminate additional Situational Awareness Statements, as necessary. |
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Preparedness and Safety Information
- Winter storm preparedness and safety information:
https://www.mass.gov/info-details/winter-storm-safety-tips - Safe winter driving tips:
https://www.mass.gov/winter-weather-driving - Winter safety tips for pets:
https://www.mass.gov/service-details/winter-pet-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 Resources
Massachusetts Emergency Management Agency www.mass.gov/mema
MEMA’s Facebook page http://www.facebook.com/MassachusettsEMA
MEMA Twitter @MassEMA
Federal Emergency Management Agency www.fema.gov
National Weather Service Boston/ Norton, MA www.weather.gov/boston
National Weather Service/Albany, NY 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.gov
Mass211 www.mass211.org
