Storm could bring plowable snow to parts of Massachusetts Sunday. Will it impact Patriots-Bills game?
A storm arriving this weekend could bring plowable snow to parts of Massachusetts.
This December has certainly had its share of cold weather. In fact, as of Thursday, this has been the coldest start to December in 17 years. Snow, on the other hand, has been a bit harder to come by.
Many residents in the northwestern suburbs still have a crusty inch or two on the ground but those living along the coast and in southeastern Massachusetts are still looking at bare ground.
The City of Boston is closing in on 300 days since the last measurable snowfall, the third longest stretch on record.
CBS Boston
Breaking news: we may finally get some snow in Boston and areas to the south this weekend.
A fast moving, relatively weak storm will be zipping through the Ohio Valley on Saturday, dropping 3-6″ from parts of Iowa through Ohio.
CBS Boston
As it approaches the East Coast, it will transfer its energy to a secondary low-pressure area (a common occurrence for winter storms).
This new storm will deliver a glancing blow to southern New England on Sunday before quickly racing out to sea.
These types of events certainly favor snow over far southeastern portions of our area.
When does the snow arrive?
The best chance of any steady, moderate snowfall would be during the morning hours on Sunday.
With the fast-moving nature of the storm, drier air will race in and cut off any precipitation by early afternoon in most areas (a little later on Cape Cod and the Islands).
CBS Boston
How much snow?
At this point, the biggest question is how far north the accumulating snowfall will make it. We expect a pretty sharp cutoff between 1″+ on the ground and just dustings, as the system will be moving quickly and have a band lined up in a west to east fashion.
This will NOT be a major storm but, there is a chance of a plowable snow in Plymouth and Bristol counties as well as on the Cape and Islands.
Think something on the order of 1-3″ or 2-4″ for a worst-case scenario in those areas.
CBS Boston
North of the Mass Pike, there may be some periods of light snow or flurries, but we do not expect more than some coatings here and there.
Will the streak end in Boston?
For Boston we’re on watch to see if the streak without measurable snowfall ends.
As of Saturday, it will have been 300 days since the last measurable snowfall, occurring on February 16. That’s the third longest streak on record.
The current forecast is for a dusting to 1″, so while not particularly impressive we could still end the streak (a tenth of an inch of snowfall is needed to officially be “measurable”).
Patriots vs. Bills snow game?
Finally, there is that little ball game going on in Foxboro on Sunday.
CBS Boston
Any snow in Foxboro would likely be gone by kickoff on Sunday for the Patriots and Bills matchup. But there could be some snow flying for tailgaters in the morning, and it will certainly be a chilly game with temperatures dropping through the 20s and a NW breeze at 6-18 mph.
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