Massachusetts is bracing for a weekend with heavy rains, strong winds, and the possibility of snow making a dramatic entrance. The National Weather Service has issued a hazardous weather outlook, flagging the Berkshires for the start of the storm on Sunday. The forecast warns of "strong, gusty winds and a period of heavy rain" that could see the wind blast over 50 mph, according to MassLive.
There's a chance for rain to quickly change to accumulating snow by Monday morning. Springfield residents can expect rain to start falling after 1 p.m. on Sunday, and thunderstorms with gusty winds may arrive by nightfall. Central Massachusetts is set to take on similar conditions starting at 2:00 p.m. Sunday, while Boston might stay dry until roughly 4 p.m. Thunderstorms could emerge around 3 a.m. Monday morning, as reported by NBC Boston.
A Gale Watch will be in effect on the coast from Sunday afternoon until Monday, signaling that strong winds "can cause hazardous seas that could capsize or damage vessels and reduce visibility." Mariners are advised to stay in port during this turbulent period to avoid the dangerous conditions, as per MassLive.
The system, pushing in from the west, brings with it not just winds that could gust over 50–60 miles per hour on the Capes and Islands but also the risk of power outages due to downed branches and trees after a long spell without significant wind events. "Heavy rain" is also visible, with concerns of localized flooding during Monday morning's commute, specifically between 5:00 and 7:00 a.m., which could severely impact travel. Despite the storm anticipated to abruptly end between 7:00 to 8:00 a.m. In the eastern part of the state (9 to 10 a.m. on the Cape and Islands), the wind is expected to pick back up, albeit at lighter speeds, and temperatures will begin to fall as the day progresses.
The weekend's wild weather will give way to cooling temperatures into Monday night and Tuesday. We might have to wait until the end of the week for the arrival of much colder air. So as Massachusetts residents look forward to milder temperatures Friday and into Saturday, they should also prepare for the dramatic shift in weather and ensure they have a good, safe weekend.
