New England is about to face a busy few days of weather as the first of many storms makes its way across the region today. This storm is expected to bring a wintry mix, starting with snow and turning into sleet and freezing rain as it moves through. It’s the first in a series of storms that will affect New England over the next several days, and the weather conditions will change rapidly. Here’s what you can expect.
A Wintry Mix for New England
The storm moving through New England today is a mix of snow, sleet, and freezing rain. The primary low-pressure system will pass north of the region, while a secondary low will pass near southern New England. This will cause different types of precipitation throughout the day. In the morning, expect snow, but this will quickly turn into a wintry mix as warmer air moves in aloft, while cold air remains at the surface.
Temperatures dropped significantly overnight, which will create a sharp coastal front. This front will separate the colder air in northern New England from the milder air near the coast. This means that the storm will likely bring more snow to areas further north, while places closer to the coastline may experience rain or mixed precipitation. However, don’t expect too much rain; the storm’s cold front will keep it mostly snowy away from the coast.
What to Expect from the Storm
- Southern New England: Areas south of New Hampshire and Maine can expect the changeover to sleet and freezing rain as the storm moves north. The shift from snow to mixed precipitation will happen gradually throughout the afternoon.
- Northern New England: For most of northern New England, including New Hampshire and Maine, the storm will remain mostly snowy throughout the day. However, by the evening, freezing drizzle could take over in some areas as the storm exits.
The storm is expected to move out by evening, with most of the snow falling in the morning and early afternoon. Northern New England, including Maine, will see the most snow accumulation.
How Much Snow Will Fall?
In terms of snow accumulation, most areas of New England will see between 2 to 5 inches. However, some spots, especially in interior New Hampshire and western Maine, could get a bit more. The storm is moving quickly, so snow will fall heavily but will not last long. Snowfall will mostly happen in the morning and afternoon, with the storm winding down in the evening.
After this storm, a colder air mass will move into the region, and Friday will bring windy conditions. Winds could gust up to 30-40 mph in many parts of New England, with some areas experiencing gusts up to 50 mph.
What’s Coming Next?
After a brief break, another storm is expected to arrive over the weekend, between Saturday night and Sunday. This next storm is expected to bring more snow, with a potential snowstorm that could affect a large part of southern and central New England. The snow will likely begin overnight Saturday and continue until Sunday afternoon.
While this storm isn’t expected to be as strong as some past storms, it could still bring up to 8 inches of snow in some areas. The exact timing and intensity will depend on the storm’s track, which is still being monitored closely by forecasters.
The Active Weather Pattern
New England is entering a period of very active weather, with storms expected every 2-3 days. After this weekend’s storm, the next one is likely to hit around Tuesday or Wednesday of the following week. This means that the weather will continue to be unpredictable, with more snow and mixed precipitation on the way.
Though this stretch of weather might remind some of the heavy snowstorms from 2015, the storms right now aren’t expected to be as intense. The storms are likely to move quickly, which will limit how much snow falls in a short period of time. Still, New Englanders can expect consistent snowfalls and chilly temperatures for the coming week.
(Source : newsbreak.com)