Moving in off the New Jersey coast and churning up the Atlantic, a nor'easter is now taking aim at Massachusetts and New Hampshire, with predictions of widespread rain and gusty conditions, but sparing the region from a massive snow dump. As reported by NBC Boston, the storm isn't expected to undergo "bombogenesis" or rapid intensification but will maintain strength to create a messy mix of weather elements through the week.
The system's presence is forecasted to result in a near-constant deluge in Boston, with the city prepared for East winds howling at 15 to 25 mph and gusts ramping up this afternoon, according to National Weather Service. The region braces for not just rain, but also sleet, and powerful gusts of up to 50 mph tonight. The impact is not only limited to precipitation, as temperatures are expected to linger in the 30s, preventing substantial snow build-up, especially in the less elevated areas.
Winter storm warnings are in effect in parts of New Hampshire, with pockets of snow anticipated in higher elevations where 1 to 3 inches could accumulate, or up to 5 inches in the most elevated regions, NBC Boston detailed. The window for this snowy scenario is narrow, however, with a shift back to rain expected swiftly after an early morning incursion.
The tempest also drags in coastal implications, as a Coastal Flood Watch remains in effect for Thursday morning, with expectations of one to two feet of inundation above ground level in susceptible zones along shorelines and tidal waterways. The National Weather Service notes that the flooding may affect coastal roads and low lying areas, but, most roads should remain navigable. Potential impacts include shallow flooding in Boston's Morrissey Boulevard and more severe flooding around Edgartown Harbor, Vineyard Haven, and Oak Bluffs including roads becoming impassable and disruptions to ferry services.
Once the nor'easter dissipates, the forecast brightens considerably. The aftermath of the storm ushers in slow improvements, with showers persisting through the weekend and temperatures climbing into the 40s. The outlook for next week starts on a high note with a solar eclipse on Monday, presaging a steady climb toward warm and sunny weather that could see the thermometer nudging 70 degrees by the week's end, as indicated by NBC Boston.
