Boston braces for yet another rain and wind hammering as local meteorologists issue a NEXT Weather Alert for a powerful storm hitting Sunday night into Monday. The WBZ Weather Team projects impacts up and down the East Coast, with the worst of the rain expected between 7 a.m. and 5 p.m. on Monday, potentially causing localized flooding and woes for the commuter crowd. "Most of Sunday will remain dry," the WBZ-TV forecasts, with clouds thickening by day and raindrops arriving by late afternoon.
The National Weather Service echoes these sentiments, warning Massachusetts' residents to prepare for heavy rainfall, strong winds, and possible flooding. "People should plan ahead if traveling, and allow extra time to get to their destination," Bill Leatham, a meteorologist at the National Weather Service’s Boston office, told the Boston Herald. The storm, strikingly similar to last Monday's, promises a less intense but still substantial 1-3 inches of rain, with localized areas potentially receiving more.
Strong winds are part of the package, particularly along the coastline. Estimates suggest peak gusts between 50 and 65 mph may hit southeastern Massachusetts, including Cape Cod and the Islands. Such force is likely to result in tree damage and a smattering of power outages. According to WBZ-TV, the timing of this storm will extend its impacts on both the AM and PM commutes on Monday.
Coastal flooding is also on the table, courtesy of higher tides compared to last week's deluge. Experts at WBZ-TV are particularly wary of the Monday afternoon high tide between 2-4 p.m., which poses threats to vulnerable shore roads. Travel by sea could also be rough, with the Steamship Authority posting about the "potential for service disruptions on Monday," and "high winds to Cape Cod and the Islands," says a statement issued by the ferry service provider.
The tempest brings a side of warmth, with unseasonably mild temperatures before a deep plunge midweek. Leatham noted that temperatures on Monday may soar to 60 degrees, a stark contrast to the frigid shift expected post-storm. As the Bay State prepares for yet another weather beating, updates and precautions are the order of the day, with both the WBZ Weather Team and the Boston Herald providing ongoing coverage and advice.
