Newsletter Signup
Stay up to date on all the latest news from Boston.com
Get your shovels ready, Massachusetts. The snow is already starting to pile up.
A powerful winter storm is battering the region, and the National Weather Service is warning the system is expected to bring “near record snowfall, blizzard conditions, near hurricane force wind gusts, and coastal flooding” through Saturday evening.
A Winter Storm Warning is in effect for much of Massachusetts through early Sunday, and the service has issued a Blizzard Warning for the eastern part of the state, which is also in place through early Sunday morning.
“Road conditions will make for near impossible travel!” service forecasters said Saturday. “It is strongly urged to not travel.”
Near hurricane force gusts are forecast across Cape Cod, and winds between 50 and 60 mph are also expected for eastern Massachusetts.
Boston could see between 24 and 30 inches of snowfall from the storm, according to the service.
Service forecasters said the expected snow totals will be record, or near record, in many locations for the state.
“Snowfall rates could reach 2 to 4 inches per hour at times with possibility of thundersnow across eastern MA and RI,” the service said. “This will make travel very dangerous to nearly impossible.”
Below, see what local forecasters are saying about the winter storm and how it is expected to impact Massachusetts through the day.
Radar estimates beginning to show some isolated areas of 3-4 inch per hour snowfall rates (assuming 10:1 snow to liquid radio) over southeastern MA. pic.twitter.com/N300sDg7DR
— NWS Boston (@NWSBoston) January 29, 2022
[450 AM Sat | Snow] Ongoing snow to increase in intensity this morning and continue until late this afternoon. Local whiteouts, especially in the Blizzard Warning area.
— NWS Boston (@NWSBoston) January 29, 2022
Road conditions will make for near impossible travel! It is strongly urged to not travel. pic.twitter.com/CzXBy557Fc
[450 AM Sat | Winds] North to Northwest wind gusts will continue to increase, peaking late this morning into mid afternoon. Near hurricane force gusts across Cape Cod, between 50-60 mph for eastern MA and eastern RI, and 40-45 mph across CT, interior MA. pic.twitter.com/eCMpZRD8ux
— NWS Boston (@NWSBoston) January 29, 2022
Intense #Blizzard in this band and just outside of it. pic.twitter.com/qs3QXnldBq
— Dave Epstein (@growingwisdom) January 29, 2022
Snow will continue through the day, heaviest east of Worcester. Specific cities and towns can be over or under the predicted totals in these bands, but you get the idea. #WeatherWisdom pic.twitter.com/DN9WT9O4CS
— Dave Epstein (@growingwisdom) January 29, 2022
Composite of snowfall rates during the storm. This isn't exact by any means, but gives an idea of when things wrap up this evening. #blizzard2022 pic.twitter.com/BBMuZiJLow
— Dave Epstein (@growingwisdom) January 29, 2022
Snowfall reports will need to be updated frequently with the heavy bands of snow we are dealing with.
— Kelly Ann Cicalese (@kellyannwx) January 29, 2022
If you don't see your town, please share a picture of a ruler in the snow near you. #wcvb pic.twitter.com/GHNZqAjaFu
Wind gusts over 70 MPH already being reported. The peak wind is expected near midday, with gusts near 80 MPH possible.
— Kelly Ann Cicalese (@kellyannwx) January 29, 2022
This type of wind strength will bring a widespread risk of power outages, but the risk is strongest over SE Mass where the snow is wetter. #wcvb pic.twitter.com/h8XG2zW7kk
Temperatures playing a key role in type of snow. Wetter flakes for Cape and Islands. Lighter, easy to move snow for interior spots with colder temps.
— Zack Green (@zackgreenwx) January 29, 2022
All in for a serious amount by end of day. pic.twitter.com/7jXIVit9EN
Not sure you're getting much clean up done today. This is one of those storms where you move the snow…turn around…and there's another blanket across the driveway.
— Zack Green (@zackgreenwx) January 29, 2022
Snow blowers and shovels for tomorrow. pic.twitter.com/LYO83vI5kI
Steady, rapidly accumulating snow continues right through the afternoon (deeper shade of blue). We'll see this let up a bit after sunset (light shades of blue) and will be gone after 8-9pm.
— Zack Green (@zackgreenwx) January 29, 2022
Hunker down. It's an all day event. pic.twitter.com/bi8t0EEeQ5
The eye-like feature developing in today's storm contained thunderstorms as the storm underwent its rapid strengthening and our most focused wind core developed north of the circulation, thus far bumping (instantaneous) wind gusts to 99 mph at Truro. https://t.co/QJBDwfuVlW
— Matt Noyes NBC10 Boston & NECN (@MattNBCBoston) January 29, 2022
Gusts over 80 mph (instantaneous gust) already in the exposed dunes on the Outer Cape. Cape Ann gusting over 60 now, as well. *Biggest* (not sole) power outage concern is Cape Cod to Southern Plymouth County where snow has been pastier than others. pic.twitter.com/2AsdS54ISD
— Matt Noyes NBC10 Boston & NECN (@MattNBCBoston) January 29, 2022
Our live coverage on @nbc10boston and @necn began at 5 AM and continues through the blizzard. Here are the updated maps @TaniaLealTV and I are airing. pic.twitter.com/pjjDcCaIdO
— Matt Noyes NBC10 Boston & NECN (@MattNBCBoston) January 29, 2022
Latest ❄️❄️❄️❄️❄️ @boston25 pic.twitter.com/cI9YFTxUeZ
— Jason Brewer (@JBrewerBoston25) January 29, 2022
Zero visibility being reported on the Cape now. Blizzard warning in effect. @boston25 pic.twitter.com/i9Zc9plGce
— Jason Brewer (@JBrewerBoston25) January 29, 2022
Easton report of 14", Attleboro 12" pic.twitter.com/WPjdQCrcQi
— Chris Lambert (@clamberton7) January 29, 2022
Temps drop from northwest to southeast this morning. Still a wet snow in Southeast Mass… for now. That'll change across Bristol and Plymouth County by late morning. pic.twitter.com/SrggTnYnB7
— Chris Lambert (@clamberton7) January 29, 2022
2-4" already on the ground across parts of SE Mass. Rockland up to 4". Heavier snow south of the Pike will expand north over the next several hours. pic.twitter.com/31MzIgZPRv
— Chris Lambert (@clamberton7) January 29, 2022
Stay up to date on all the latest news from Boston.com
Stay up to date with everything Boston. Receive the latest news and breaking updates, straight from our newsroom to your inbox.
Conversation
This discussion has ended. Please join elsewhere on Boston.com