Bostonians are bracing for a dynamic weather week, with the season's first notable snowfall expected for parts of Massachusetts in the coming days. The National Weather Service's forecast for Boston details a week that begins with sunny skies but quickly turns over to a cold and wintry mix. Tomorrow night will see the onset of increasing clouds, transitioning to rain after 9 pm, with temperatures bottoming out around 33 degrees and winds gusting from the south. A hundred percent chance of precipitation awaits, ushering in what may be a soggy end to tomorrow.
The situation is set to quickly evolve as we move into Thursday. The forecast anticipates that rain will persist, mainly before 5 pm, with near-gale force gusts of up to 32 mph accompanying a 90% chance of precipitation. As temps begin to slowly drop on Thursday night, there's a 30% chance of snow flurries before the skies clear. Little to no snow accumulation is expected in Boston, although other areas might not be quite so spared.
According to NBC Boston, Greater Worcester and northern Worcester County are particularly in view for this incoming winter weather, with communities there bracing as "the first significant snow of the season" is anticipated. The precise snowfall amounts could accumulate to a few inches, making for potentially tricky travel conditions, especially in areas west of Bedford and Hopkinton and north of Topsfield.
The mix of gusty winds and snow squalls likely to accompany Thursday's weather system may to quickly affect driving visibility and road conditions, adding surprise snow to the roads, including "a coating of snow (or maybe an additional inch in central Massachusetts)" as per NBC Boston. The rapid drop in temperatures following the squalls could place morning wind chills near zero on Friday, solidifying the weekend's cold grip. The wind is expected to continue being an assertive presence, perhaps evidence of winter's intent to remind us of its authority in the natural world.
Looking ahead, Bostonians can expect a brief reprieve on Friday with sunny skies and a high near 33. The weekend will bring partly sunny days with temperatures in the mid-30s. Monday may bring a new weather system, with a chance of rain and milder temperatures reaching up to 45 degrees. Beyond that, a warmer storm is expected late Monday and Tuesday, signaling another pattern to watch closely.
