The National Weather Service has expanded the Blizzard Watch in Southern New England to include all of RI, SE MA, and nearly all of CT. The likelihood is increasing of blizzard conditions occurring in those areas sometime between Friday and Saturday – most likely late Friday evening through midday Saturday. Blizzard conditions are sustained winds or frequent gusts to 35 mph combined with heavy snow (1/4 mile visibility) for three straight hours. The National Weather Service has also raised their forecast snow totals to 18-24″ for all but Cape Cod and the islands. The National Weather Service probability forecast shows a nearly 80% chance of seeing 12″ of snow north of Providence. In our opinion, that percentage is bit high at this point, but not by much! Read the strongly worded text from the NWS below. Click here for the latest Right Weather accumulation map.
...A POTENTIAL HISTORIC WINTER STORM AND BLIZZARD IS EXPECTED TO DROP 1 TO 2 FEET OF SNOW ACROSS MUCH OF THE REGION FRIDAY INTO SATURDAY... MAZ005>007-013>018-RIZ001>004-071730- /O.CON.KBOX.BZ.A.0001.130208T1200Z-130209T2100Z/ CENTRAL MIDDLESEX MA-WESTERN ESSEX MA-EASTERN ESSEX MA- WESTERN NORFOLK MA-SOUTHEAST MIDDLESEX MA-SUFFOLK MA- EASTERN NORFOLK MA-NORTHERN BRISTOL MA-WESTERN PLYMOUTH MA- NORTHWEST PROVIDENCE RI-SOUTHEAST PROVIDENCE RI-WESTERN KENT RI- EASTERN KENT RI- INCLUDING THE CITIES OF...FRAMINGHAM...LOWELL...LAWRENCE... GLOUCESTER...FOXBORO...NORWOOD...CAMBRIDGE...BOSTON...QUINCY... TAUNTON...BROCKTON...FOSTER...SMITHFIELD...PROVIDENCE... WEST GREENWICH...WARWICK 425 AM EST THU FEB 7 2013 ...BLIZZARD WATCH REMAINS IN EFFECT FROM FRIDAY MORNING THROUGH SATURDAY AFTERNOON... * LOCATIONS...MUCH OF EASTERN MASSACHUSETTS AS WELL AS NORTHERN AND CENTRAL RHODE ISLAND. THIS INCLUDES THE BOSTON TO PROVIDENCE CORRIDOR. * HAZARD TYPES...HEAVY SNOW WITH THE POTENTIAL FOR BLIZZARD CONDITIONS. * ACCUMULATIONS...SNOW ACCUMULATION OF 18 TO 24 INCHES. * TIMING...LIGHT SNOW DEVELOPS BY FRIDAY MORNING. SNOW WILL INCREASE IN INTENSITY DURING FRIDAY AFTERNOON. THE HEAVIEST SNOW WILL OCCUR FRIDAY NIGHT INTO SATURDAY MORNING. * IMPACTS...HEAVY SNOW AND STRONG WINDS WILL BRING THE POTENTIAL FOR BLIZZARD CONDITIONS. THE WORST OF THE STORM WILL BE FRIDAY NIGHT INTO SATURDAY MORNING. SNOWFALL RATES OF 2 TO 3 INCHES PER HOUR POSSIBLE. TRAVEL MAY BECOME NEARLY IMPOSSIBLE WITH BLOWING AND DRIFTING SNOW. * WINDS...NORTHEAST 20 TO 30 MPH WITH GUSTS UP TO 55 MPH. * VISIBILITIES...ONE QUARTER MILE OR LESS AT TIMES. * TEMPERATURES...IN THE MID 20S. PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS... A BLIZZARD WATCH MEANS THERE IS A POTENTIAL FOR CONSIDERABLE FALLING AND/OR BLOWING SNOW WITH SUSTAINED WINDS OR FREQUENT GUSTS OVER 35 MPH AND VISIBILITIES BELOW 1/4 MILE FOR AT LEAST 3 HOURS. WHITE OUT CONDITIONS WILL BE POSSIBLE...MAKING TRAVEL VERY DANGEROUS. BE PREPARED TO ALTER ANY TRAVEL PLANS. && $$
URGENT - WINTER WEATHER MESSAGE NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE TAUNTON MA 425 AM EST THU FEB 7 2013 ...A POTENTIAL HISTORIC WINTER STORM AND BLIZZARD IS EXPECTED TO DROP 1 TO 2 FEET OF SNOW ACROSS MUCH OF THE REGION FRIDAY INTO SATURDAY... MAZ012-019>021-RIZ005>007-071730- /O.CAN.KBOX.WS.A.0002.130208T1200Z-130209T1800Z/ /O.EXA.KBOX.BZ.A.0001.130208T1200Z-130209T2100Z/ SOUTHERN WORCESTER MA-EASTERN PLYMOUTH MA-SOUTHERN BRISTOL MA- SOUTHERN PLYMOUTH MA-BRISTOL RI-WASHINGTON RI-NEWPORT RI- INCLUDING THE CITIES OF...MILFORD...WORCESTER...PLYMOUTH... FALL RIVER...NEW BEDFORD...MATTAPOISETT...BRISTOL... NARRAGANSETT...WESTERLY...NEWPORT 425 AM EST THU FEB 7 2013 ...WINTER STORM WATCH UPGRADED TO A BLIZZARD WATCH...IN EFFECT FROM FRIDAY MORNING THROUGH SATURDAY AFTERNOON... THE NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE IN TAUNTON HAS UPGRADED A WINTER STORM WATCH TO A BLIZZARD WATCH...WHICH IS IN EFFECT FROM FRIDAY MORNING THROUGH SATURDAY AFTERNOON. * LOCATIONS...SOUTHERN RHODE ISLAND...AS WELL AS THE SOUTH COAST OF MASSACHUSETTS AND SOUTHERN WORCESTER COUNTY MASSACHUSETTS. * HAZARD TYPES...HEAVY SNOW WITH POTENTIAL FOR BLIZZARD CONDITIONS. * ACCUMULATIONS...SNOW ACCUMULATION OF 18 TO 24 INCHES. * TIMING...LIGHT SNOW DEVELOPS BY FRIDAY MORNING. SNOW WILL INCREASE IN INTENSITY DURING FRIDAY AFTERNOON. THERE MAY BE A BRIEF CHANGE OVER TO RAIN ESPECIALLY NEAR THE SOUTH COAST DURING THE AFTERNOON. THE RAIN SHOULD SWITCH BACK TO HEAVY SNOW BY FRIDAY NIGHT AND SATURDAY MORNING...WHEN THE BULK OF THE STORM IS EXPECTED. * IMPACTS...HEAVY SNOW AND VERY STRONG WINDS WILL BRING THE POTENTIAL FOR BLIZZARD CONDITIONS. THE WORST OF THE STORM WILL BE FRIDAY NIGHT INTO SATURDAY MORNING. SNOWFALL RATES OF 2 TO 3 INCHES PER HOUR POSSIBLE. TRAVEL MAY BECOME NEARLY IMPOSSIBLE WITH BLOWING AND DRIFTING SNOW. * WINDS...NORTHEAST 25 TO 35 MPH WITH GUSTS UP TO 65 MPH. * VISIBILITIES...ONE QUARTER MILE OR LESS AT TIMES. PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS... A BLIZZARD WATCH MEANS THERE IS A POTENTIAL FOR CONSIDERABLE FALLING AND/OR BLOWING SNOW WITH SUSTAINED WINDS OR FREQUENT GUSTS OVER 35 MPH AND VISIBILITIES BELOW 1/4 MILE FOR AT LEAST 3 HOURS. WHITEOUT CONDITIONS WILL BE POSSIBLE...MAKING TRAVEL VERY DANGEROUS. BE PREPARED TO ALTER ANY TRAVEL PLANS. && $$
URGENT - WINTER WEATHER MESSAGE NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE TAUNTON MA 425 AM EST THU FEB 7 2013 ...A POTENTIAL HISTORIC WINTER STORM AND BLIZZARD IS EXPECTED TO DROP 1 TO 2 FEET OF SNOW ACROSS MUCH OF THE REGION FRIDAY INTO SATURDAY... MAZ022>024-RIZ008-071730- /O.CAN.KBOX.WS.A.0002.130208T1200Z-130209T2000Z/ /O.EXA.KBOX.BZ.A.0001.130208T1200Z-130209T2100Z/ BARNSTABLE MA-DUKES MA-NANTUCKET MA-BLOCK ISLAND RI- INCLUDING THE CITIES OF...CHATHAM...FALMOUTH...PROVINCETOWN... VINEYARD HAVEN...NANTUCKET...BLOCK ISLAND 425 AM EST THU FEB 7 2013 ...WINTER STORM WATCH UPGRADED TO BLIZZARD WATCH...IN EFFECT FROM FRIDAY MORNING THROUGH SATURDAY AFTERNOON... THE NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE IN TAUNTON HAS UPGRADED A WINTER STORM WATCH TO A BLIZZARD WATCH...WHICH IS IN EFFECT FROM FRIDAY MORNING THROUGH SATURDAY AFTERNOON. * LOCATIONS...CAPE COD AND THE ISLANDS...AS WELL AS BLOCK ISLAND. * HAZARD TYPES...HEAVY WET SNOW ESPECIALLY FRIDAY NIGHT INTO EARLY SATURDAY...WITH POTENTIAL FOR BLIZZARD CONDITIONS. * ACCUMULATIONS...SNOW ACCUMULATION OF 10 TO 16 INCHES. * TIMING...LIGHT SNOW WILL DEVELOP BY FRIDAY MORNING. THE SNOW WILL THEN CHANGE TO RAIN DURING THE AFTERNOON. THE RAIN WILL CHANGE BACK TO WET SNOW SOMETIME FRIDAY NIGHT AND CONTINUE INTO SATURDAY AFTERNOON. THIS IS WHEN THE WORST OF THE STORM IS EXPECTED. * IMPACTS...UNTREATED ROADS WILL BECOME SNOW COVERED BY FRIDAY NIGHT. IN ADDITION...VERY STRONG WINDS UP TO HURRICANE FORCE ARE POSSIBLE FRIDAY NIGHT INTO SATURDAY. THIS MAY RESULT IN SIGNIFICANT DAMAGE ALONG WITH BLIZZARD CONDITIONS FOR A TIME. SCATTERED POWER OUTAGES ARE A POSSIBILITY. * WINDS...NORTHEAST 40 TO 50 MPH WITH GUSTS UP TO 75 MPH. * VISIBILITIES...ONE QUARTER MILE OR LESS AT TIMES. PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS... A BLIZZARD WATCH MEANS THERE IS A POTENTIAL FOR CONSIDERABLE FALLING AND/OR BLOWING SNOW WITH SUSTAINED WINDS OR FREQUENT GUSTS OVER 35 MPH AND VISIBILITIES BELOW 1/4 MILE FOR AT LEAST 3 HOURS. WHITEOUT CONDITIONS WILL BE POSSIBLE...MAKING TRAVEL VERY DANGEROUS. BE PREPARED TO ALTER ANY TRAVEL PLANS. && $$
URGENT - WINTER WEATHER MESSAGE NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE TAUNTON MA 425 AM EST THU FEB 7 2013 ...A POTENTIAL HISTORIC WINTER STORM AND BLIZZARD IS EXPECTED TO DROP 1 TO 2 FEET OF SNOW ACROSS MUCH OF THE REGION FRIDAY INTO SATURDAY... CTZ002>004-071730- /O.CAN.KBOX.WS.A.0002.130208T1200Z-130209T1800Z/ /O.EXB.KBOX.BZ.A.0001.130208T1800Z-130209T2100Z/ HARTFORD CT-TOLLAND CT-WINDHAM CT- INCLUDING THE CITIES OF...HARTFORD...WINDSOR LOCKS...UNION... VERNON...PUTNAM...WILLIMANTIC 425 AM EST THU FEB 7 2013 ...WINTER STORM WATCH UPGRADED TO A BLIZZARD WATCH...IN EFFECT FROM FRIDAY AFTERNOON THROUGH SATURDAY AFTERNOON... THE NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE IN TAUNTON HAS UPGRADED A WINTER STORM WATCH TO A BLIZZARD WATCH...WHICH IS IN EFFECT FROM FRIDAY AFTERNOON THROUGH SATURDAY AFTERNOON. * LOCATIONS...NORTHERN CONNECTICUT. * HAZARD TYPES...HEAVY SNOW WITH POTENTIAL FOR BLIZZARD CONDITIONS. * ACCUMULATIONS...SNOW ACCUMULATION OF 18 TO 24 INCHES. * TIMING...LIGHT SNOW WILL DEVELOP FRIDAY MORNING. THE SNOW WILL INCREASE IN AREAL COVERAGE FRIDAY AFTERNOON...WITH THE HEAVIEST OCCURRING FRIDAY NIGHT INTO SATURDAY MORNING. * IMPACTS...HEAVY SNOW AND GUSTY WINDS WILL BRING THE POTENTIAL FOR BLIZZARD CONDITIONS. THE WORST OF THE STORM WILL BE FRIDAY NIGHT INTO SATURDAY MORNING. SNOWFALL RATES OF 2 TO 3 INCHES PER HOUR POSSIBLE. TRAVEL MAY BECOME NEARLY IMPOSSIBLE WITH BLOWING AND DRIFTING SNOW. * WINDS...NORTH 15 TO 25 MPH WITH GUSTS UP TO 50 MPH. * VISIBILITIES...ONE QUARTER MILE OR LESS AT TIMES. PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS... A BLIZZARD WATCH MEANS THERE IS A POTENTIAL FOR CONSIDERABLE FALLING AND/OR BLOWING SNOW WITH SUSTAINED WINDS OR FREQUENT GUSTS OVER 35 MPH AND VISIBILITIES BELOW 1/4 MILE FOR AT LEAST 3 HOURS. WHITEOUT CONDITIONS WILL BE POSSIBLE...MAKING TRAVEL VERY DANGEROUS. BE PREPARED TO ALTER ANY TRAVEL PLANS. && $$
