A storm system will continue to develop to our South and bring New England with lots of clouds and some light precipitation. Expect most of the precipitation to be light snow in the higher terrain. Lower elevations below 3000 feet will see light rain, maybe with some snowflakes mixed in. Precipitation will be scattered, light, and brief throughout the day today. Temperatures will warm a few degrees throughout the day as winds remain light of 0-5 mph. Ski slopes will continue to be dense and wet to carve through. 

Moving into Wednesday night, these soggy weather conditions will continue as the storm system progresses  toward New England from the Mid-Atlantic. Due to the storm systems inland track, warm air will intrude in the low and mid levels of the atmosphere. This means a combination of rain, sleet, and snow, with a few exceptions. Precipitation will start early Thursday morning and continue throughout the day. 

MA will see all rain from this storm with some scattered snow showers on the backside into Friday. VT, NH, and ME will see a mixed bag of precipitation. The good news is that in the northern parts of the state and higher terrain, expect mostly snow with a chance of a quick changeover to rain. Snow will fall heavily and quickly during the morning and afternoon Thursday. The White Mountains will see snow accumulations 6-12+ inches. The Green Mountains in VT will see slighter lower totals of 4-8+ inches. In the central parts of VT, NH, and ME snow should changeover to sleet and rain around 7-10 am and change back to snow by the end of the storm. Here is a look at the NAM model timing of precipitation and type Thursday:

Image courtesy of TropicalTidbits

This storm will produce an elevation dependent snowfall gradient. Higher terrain and the further North areas will see more snowfall. Additionally, model changeover time of precipitation time is not exact. Expect snow accumulations to vary depending on changeover to mixed precipitation and rain. Some higher peaks could see over a foot of wet, dense snow if precipitation falls as only snow. Finally, here is a look at the European model projected snowfall accumulation:

Image courtesy of WeatherBell

Behind this storm system ,temperatures will drop, winds will strengthen, and scattered snow showers will affect New England. For the day Friday, expect temperatures in the teens and lower 20’s with winds from the West at 10-15 mph with higher gusts. These temperatures will freeze up the snowpack after all the melt this week so expect some icy spots below the fresh snow. Throughout Friday, snow showers will develop and accumulate mostly in the higher terrain. Expect snow accumulations of 2-6 inches in the areas that see persistent snow showers, as snow could be heavy at times. Here is a look at the NAM model projection of snow showers on Friday:

Image courtesy of TropicalTidbits

Snow showers will weaken overnight Friday into Saturday morning as temperatures drop to the single digits. For the start of your weekend, scattered upslope snow showers will continue but be weaker than Friday. Snow will accumulate in the higher terrain of 1-2 inches. Temperatures will rise to the mid to upper teens during the day. 

Finally to close out this forecast period, Sunday looks to be a lot like Saturday with scattered upslope snow showers and temperatures in the upper teens. 

Have a great Wednesday everyone.

Zach Butler, Plymouth State University