Time to get the raingear out again for Friday. It will be the second week in a row with gusty south winds, warming temperatures and heavy rain.
Though this week’s storm will be different than last week, this time we have a wintry mix/snow chance as the storm initially moves in during the morning hours. The wind won't be quite as strong, there are no coastal flood threats, and we're not expecting flooding rainfall. It will be more of a nuisance storm.
Timing:
Precipitation moves into western New England before dawn. Temperatures will be in the upper 20s and low 30s. The colder air higher up in the atmosphere will begin to warm during the late morning. So snow, to sleet, freezing rain will be possible, then the mix changes to rain across higher elevations.
The freezing line will be close to Route 128, and across the Massachusetts Turnpike in the morning. Colder air will be north and warmer south.
The wintry mix and light accumulation across Massachusetts will be brief but crucial during the morning rush (if you have to work tomorrow!).
U.S. & World
Ice and Snow:
After a few hours of light ice/snow in the morning, we flip to rain from south to north. Snow lingers across higher terrain in northern New England. One to two inches of snow is possible in southern New Hampshire, 3-6 inches across the Green and White Mountains through Friday afternoon. In the Worcester Hills and the Berkshires there will be light icing.
TIMELINE: Hour-by-Hour Breakdown of Friday's Winter Storm
Rain Totals:
This will be an all rain event across Boston, the coastline of New Hampshire, south and east through Cape Cod, the islands, southern Rhode Island and southern Connecticut. Rainfall accumulation around 0.5 inch is possible through Friday night. Isolated spots will be approaching the 1-inch mark.
Wind:
Not as widespread or as damaging as last Friday's storm. There will be some strong gusts from the south around 40 mph, pushing 50 mph during Friday afternoon and evening.
Weekend:
A secondary cold front moves through on Saturday afternoon (similar set up to last weekend). A couple of spot showers will move along the front. Then the wind direction changes and becomes gusty in the late afternoon. Temperatures start to fall from the 40s Saturday morning to the 20s by Sunday morning. Highs Sunday in the low 30s and sunny.
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10-Day Outlook:
Our last day of 2018 will begin dry, but we are watching another low-pressure system that may bring us scattered rain. Yes, rain. Temperatures will be in the low 40s during the day, falling to the mid-30s around midnight. The showers will continue to move through for the first few hours of 2019.
Another system moves through New England Thursday night into Friday. Colder air is associated with this one so we are thinking light snow. Will will be drying off with highs in the mid-30s going into the next weekend.
