Bostonians should brace for a mixed bag of precipitation come Thursday, as forecasted by the WBZ Weather Team. In a statement obtained by CBS News Boston, the team issued a NEXT Weather Alert for a variety of weather events hitting the area, from rain and snow to sleet—dubbed a "kitchen sink" type storm.
The storm's journey starts thousands of miles off the West Coast and is expected to sweep across the country, affecting New England within 72 hours. Despite being a quick phenomenon, estimated to last 6-8 hours between approximately 10 a.m. and 5 p.m. on Thursday, residents should not expect a major storm with significant wind or coastal issues. Lighter snowfall is predicted, but the extent of the precipitation type remains under watch. Hailing from CBS News Boston, "We also know that this will NOT be a major storm for our area...no wind or coastal concerns and snow amounts will be on the lighter side."
National Weather Service provides an outlook on Boston's week, highlighting a shift from mostly sunny days to wintry conditions. Forecast details emerging point to sunny beginnings, moving towards rain, snow, and sleet on Thursday with a 100% chance of precipitation. Independent confirmation can be expected soon as data firms up, yet for now, the forecast indicates about 1 to 2 inches of new snow and sleet accumulation possible.
The precipitation is set to begin with snowfall across most areas of Massachusetts, barring the extreme southeast. Warmer air above ground level is anticipated to transition the snow into ice, and subsequently into rain as the day progresses. The exact timing and type of precipitation are subject to further clarification as more details become available. According to CBS News Boston, "The tricky part right now is timing the arrival of the milder air...how much snow/ice can fall before it arrives?"
Drivers and pedestrians should note the forecasted change from snow to sleet, the latter resembling small ice pellets, rather than freezing rain—rain that freezes upon contact with surfaces, creating hazardous conditions. Areas north and west of Boston may face these icy conditions for a slightly extended period. CBS News Boston adds, "As is typical, areas farther north and west will be slightly colder and therefore more apt to hang on to the ice a bit longer."
While detailed snow forecasts will emerge by Tuesday, it's expected that snow accumulations will not be substantial. CBS News Boston states, "It is safe to say that there will not be a lot of snow with this one. For most, this will be a bunch of slop. An inch or two of snow, topped by some icy pellets, turned to mush by rain."
