Bullet Points and Forecast Snow Accumulation Maps for New England's Wednesday Winter Storm

Here's what to expect with Wednesday's storm:

  • Predawn to post-dusk:  Snow develops west to east for most in New England before dawn Wednesday.  In Maine, the timeframe is development from early to mid-morning, west to east. Precipitation begins as snow for one and all, including Cape Cod and the Islands.  Snow will not entirely taper until after dusk.
  • Heaviest Wednesday AM:  The heaviest burst of snow will occur the first half of the day Wednesday for most of Central and Southern New England.  A strong burst on the front end will ensure high impact for the morning commute time, resulting in widespread cancelations.  Snow will continue to fall steadily through the afternoon north of the Massachusetts Turnpike, but will lose some intensity after noon or 1 PM where sleet mixes in.
  • No Arctic cold:  This storm will not come with 10 degree temperatures...rather, it will behave like a classic New England storm - highs in the 20s north and central, around 30 for interior Southern New England, and warming into the 30s with a change to rain for some near the South Coast.  On the positive side, this will be a great storm for kids to play in the backyard - much more comfortable than the dangerous arctic cold of earlier storms.
  • Heavy, wet snow for many:  Without the arctic air, gone is the fluff of earlier big storms this winter.  Returning is the more standard, heavier, wetter consistency snow for many.  Isolated power outages will be possible in Northern Massachusetts.  Again, the positive side is this will be a great snowman and snowball making snow for kids (and adults, LOL!).
  • Freezing rain for some:  Especially in Southwest and Central Connecticut, there are indications warmer air will move in aloft while surface temperatures remain near freezing.  This should result in a period of freezing rain, and some power outages will be possible in these areas should that happen.
  • Some mixing in Southern New England:  Especially south of the MA Turnpike, sleet will mix in.  Freezing rain will occur in pockets outside of the Connecticut area mentioned above, and a transition to plain rain will impact Cape Cod, the Islands and probably the South Coast of Massachusetts and Rhode Island after the morning burst of snow.
  • Weekend storm still uncertain:  Though strong signals continue for a storm to pass southeast of New England on Sunday, it's too early to say just how close it will come.

Expected snow totals, reflecting the points mentioned above:

Southern and Central New England:

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Northern New England:

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