For more, I invite you to follow me on Twitter, my weather Facebook page, my non-weather Facebook Page, and, of course, check in at my Weather Analysis Page and NECN Weather Team Blog for new posts.
The greatest impact from weather over the duration of this storm will undoubtedly be wind for the largest population, and waves with regard to severity of impact, along the coast - snowfall amounts from this storm will not be astounding for anyone.
With any storm, the greatest challenge for a broadcast meteorologist is not only to correctly forecast the weather parameters, but also to present the information in an easily understood manner, able to be digested by one and all. After the 4 PM show, I realized I wasn't entirely happy with the presentation, particularly of the snowfall accumulation map: I was showing a snowfall map ending Friday morning, when more meaningful snow totals will likely be observed, but, even with an hour-by-hour forecast, anyone who only took notice for the snow map would be confused Thursday morning, when very little snow will be on the ground in most areas.
Even without much snow Wednesday night to greet you out the door Thursday morning, however, I still think roads will be slick for many communities. During the day Wednesday, we saw multiple showers and heavier bursts of rain, snow and sleet across New England - particularly Eastern Massachusetts, as a wind added moisture from the ocean. Those will continue overnight Wednesday night, and new moisture from the south will enhance and expand precipitation, and though significant snow is not expected, highest totals may reach a couple of inches, with many towns seeing a dusting to one inch. The issue will be falling temperatures producing black ice and slick roadways in a number of communities from overnight Wednesday night to early Thursday morning.
Bursts of wet snow, falling steadily and heavily at times, continues Thursday all through the day, but will have a hard time adding up outside of hilly terrain, given marginal temperatures and a solar angle that - even through clouds - has an impact now that it is the equivalent of a mid-October sunshine.
Thursday night, moisture surges into New England, and this is when I expect the heaviest snow to fall. Friday morning should bring a blanket of heavy, wet snow for many, particularly inland and heaviest in elevated terrain. The focus of this moisture will be Southern New England, and Northern New England amounts were lowered from early estimates a day or two ago.
Expected snowfall by 8 AM Thursday:
Expected storm total snowfall by Friday morning:
