BLIZZARD OF 2013 INCOMING

FIRST CALL:  (2-6-13 at 10PM) - Right now this one is heading straight for the record books.  We have been waiting for years for a significant snowstorm and we are finally getting one and all at once!  The computer models are coming in stronger and stronger and juicier and juicier (meaning more snow).  Some models are spitting out amounts of 40"+ for NE MASS and SE NH!  In the 10 years I have been actively tracking weather here in SNE, I have never seen this.  Perhaps January 2005 is a good analogue, but I think the severe impacts will be felt over a much larger area across SNE.  Not only will we have the snow, but we will have strong winds (strongest over the Cape overnight Friday night).  Peak wind gusts could approach or exceed hurricane force strength ( >74mph).  This will create whiteout conditions for several hours, leading to blizzard conditions across much of the area.  Snow starts from south to north during the early morning hours of Friday.  The heaviest waits until Friday night when overnight snowfall rates may exceed 4" per hour!  The snow slowly tapers mid to late afternoon Saturday.  More updates later.  Please make your preparations tomorrow.  Expect to be without power for a few days just to be safe.  This is one you may be talking about for years to come!

History in the Making...

UPDATE (Feb. 6, 2013 - 5PM)  Blizzard watches are in effect for eastern Massachusetts currently.  We have ourselves a historic storm in the making.  Above is the latest NWS estimate of snowfall accumulations (18-24").  To tell you the truth, I would not be surprised to see 30"+ in some locations.  We are entering hallowed ground here folks.  Keep attuned to the news and weather websites.

Here is the latest bulletin from the NWS:

...BLIZZARD WATCH IN EFFECT FROM FRIDAY MORNING THROUGH SATURDAY
AFTERNOON...
...WINTER STORM WATCH IS CANCELLED...

THE NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE IN TAUNTON HAS ISSUED A BLIZZARD
WATCH...WHICH IS IN EFFECT FROM FRIDAY MORNING THROUGH SATURDAY
AFTERNOON. THE WINTER STORM WATCH HAS BEEN CANCELLED.

* 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 12 TO 24 INCHES.

* TIMING...LIGHT SNOW DEVELOPS BY FRIDAY MORNING. SNOW WILL
  INCREASE 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 25 TO 35 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.

STAY TUNED!!!