Batten down the hatches!
A nasty nor’easter is expected to batter the Cape and Islands this weekend, according to meteorologists who say the bomb cyclone could dump several inches of snow and spark strong wind gusts and coastal flooding.
The snow forecast for the Boston-area is around 2 inches, while the South Shore could see close to 6 inches, and the Cape and Islands might get more than 6 inches.
Blizzard-like conditions will be possible for Cape Cod, Nantucket and Martha’s Vineyard on Sunday.
“There could be a timeframe when it’s snowing pretty good with winds gusting around 50 miles per hour,” AccuWeather Senior Meteorologist Tom Kines told the Herald.
The National Weather Service’s Boston office has issued a “Winter Storm Watch” for the Cape and Islands from late Saturday night through Sunday night.
“Heavy snow possible,” NWS Boston wrote in its alert. “Total snow accumulations 6 inches or more possible. Winds could gust as high as 55 mph… Travel could be very difficult. Strong winds could cause tree damage.”
Power outages will be a concern along the coast.
“Whenever you start talking about 50 to 60 mph wind gusts, power outages have got to be considered across the area,” Kines said.
Coastal flooding will also be possible, given that there’s a full moon this weekend. There could be a 1.5- to 2.5-foot storm surge with wave action — with the main risk for the Cape and Islands, South Shore and Boston.
“That guidance offers widespread minor to moderate coastal flooding for both the Sunday morning and Sunday evening high tides,” NWS Boston wrote. “As with any coastal flood forecast, timing of the peak surge with high tide will be critical, as will the effect of wave run-up/wave action. Beach erosion also could be possible given 20+ ft waves offshore.”
The storm is expected to qualify for the “bombogenesis” classification — when a system rapidly intensifies.
Kines noted that this happens every year with nor’easters. It is popularly referred to as a bomb cyclone.
The meteorologist said, “Anytime there’s a clash of cold air with milder air over the ocean, it’s usually the recipe for a strengthening storm.”
