Boston is easing into Saturday with light snow, fog and a sluggish start at Logan, as temperatures hover around freezing and top out near 33 F. The quiet will not last long. Forecasters say a much stronger coastal storm is likely to roll in Sunday afternoon, February 22, bringing a punch of heavy snow, damaging winds and coastal flooding that could linger into Monday, February 23.
Storm Timing and Totals
The National Weather Service has posted a Winter Storm Watch from Sunday afternoon through Tuesday morning, calling for widespread heavy snow and gusty winds that could make travel very difficult. In higher-end scenarios, snowfall could reach roughly 6 to 15 inches, with the heaviest totals most likely along and southeast of the I-95 corridor. Parts of southeastern Massachusetts, Rhode Island and the Cape and Islands could even flirt with blizzard conditions if winds and visibility line up just right.
The watch notes that the storm’s most intense burst of precipitation is expected late Sunday night into Monday, before tapering off Monday evening. Forecasters caution that details on exact totals and track may shift, so residents are urged to monitor updates from NWS Boston/Norton.
Coastal Flooding and Wind Threat
Along the shoreline, timing is not great. High astronomical tides Monday into Tuesday are lining up with onshore winds, raising the risk for pockets of coastal flooding and beach erosion. Surge guidance shows water levels could reach several feet above normal in some harbors, which could spell trouble for low-lying spots during the highest tides.
Out on the water, conditions look downright hostile, with forecasters expecting gale- to storm-force gusts and rough seas that could build to around 24 feet at times. That combination poses a clear hazard for ferries and small craft. On land, strong gusts may bring down branches and trigger scattered power outages. Residents and mariners alike are advised to keep an eye on marine and coastal statements from the National Weather Service at NWS Boston/Norton.
Commute and Local Impacts
The timing could make for a messy Monday commute, and the storm may also complicate weekend plans in the downtown core. There are already planned road closures and service diversions in place this weekend, which could pile on to any weather-related slowdowns.
Riders are urged to check MBTA service alerts and planned diversions before heading out; the City of Boston has details on scheduled closures and transit changes. If you have to travel Sunday night into Monday, expect slower traffic, possible outages and longer trip times, and consider remote options where you can.
How To Prepare
Before the storm ramps up, secure loose outdoor items, charge phones and essential devices, and put together a small emergency kit with food and medicine in case of outages. Avoid nonessential travel during the peak of the storm late Sunday into Monday, and move vehicles off posted emergency routes if a snow emergency is declared.
Keep tuned to updates from the National Weather Service and local transit alerts for the latest timing, and watch for any upgrades from watches to warnings as the storm closes in.
