Bundle up and brush off those snowblowers: Several days of impactful winter weather is on the way to New England.
First up is a blast of arctic air Friday night, followed by a nor’easter Sunday into Monday. Boston could get 12 inches of snow — the last time the city got more than 6 inches in a snowstorm was four years ago.
Friday: Arctic front brings snow squalls and dangerous cold
On Friday, a sharp Arctic front barrels into New England. There’s a 20% chance it’ll bring a few scattered snow showers and squalls between 2 and 6 p.m. They won’t be widespread, but where they do hit, they’ll hit hard. Think sudden gusty winds, a quick coating to 1 inch of snow and reduced visibility for drivers. It’s the kind of setup where a dry road can suddenly turn slick in seconds.
The big headline of the day will be the cold.
Bitter cold moves into the region on Friday. (Danielle Noyes/1DegreeOutside)
Temperatures nosedive from highs of 30s, down through the 20s and teens into the single digits by night.
And that’s before you even factor in the wind. With gusts up to 35 mph, wind chills will make it feel 15 to 20 below zero in southern New England’s higher terrain, and 30 to 40 below zero across parts of northern New England.
That’s the kind of cold that can kill your car battery, freeze exposed skin in 15 to 30 minutes, and cause pipes to burst in poorly insulated homes.
Saturday: The cold doesn’t let up
Saturday’s highs? Single digits to the north; teens (barely) in the southern part of the region. And even though winds may ease a bit overnight, the air itself will still be frigid, so at the warmest time of the day, the wind chill will hover around 0.
Layer up, protect your pets and check on vulnerable neighbors.
Sunday into Monday: Then comes the snow
A moderate to high impact snowstorm arrives Sunday.
It’s looking more and more likely that much of New England could receive 6 to 12 inches of snow. If that happens, it would be Boston’s first snowstorm over a foot since Jan. 29, 2022. Worcester’s last storm that brought over 12 inches of snow was on Jan. 8, 2024.
Snowfall probabilities for the region Sunday into Monday. (Danielle Noyes/1DegreeOutside)
Here’s the latest thinking:
- Timing: Snow starts Sunday morning in southern New England, and then will expand north through the day and ramp up in intensity. Snowfall rates of 1-2 inches per hour are possible Sunday evening and night. The storm lingers into Monday, with snow tapering through the afternoon. A snow day is likely for schools on Monday.
- Consistency: Most areas will see fluffy, powdery snow thanks to the Arctic air in place. It’ll be easy to shovel, but quick to pile up. Southeast Massachusetts could see a wetter consistency, which would increase the chance for power outages. A slightly closer storm track could allow for a bit of mixing on the Cape and Islands — but even that looks limited.
- Wind and visibility: While this isn’t expected to be a blockbuster windstorm, gusts Sunday night into Monday will ramp up around 30 mph near the coast (especially Cape Cod), with some isolated higher gusts possible. That means blowing snow and visibility near zero at times during peak snowfall times.
- Travel: Expect slick roads, travel delays and flight cancellations Sunday night into Monday.
Stay tuned for updates, and check the free 1DegreeOutside weather app for the latest.
