Heavy Snow Forecast Prompts Winter Storm Watch Across MA This Weekend

MASSACHUSETTS — A second shot of snow this weekend is expected to bring some of the highest snow totals in three years across much of eastern Massachusetts with the National Weather Service declaring a Winter Storm Watch for late Saturday night into Sunday.

Heavy snow is possible with 5 to 8 inches expected by Sunday afternoon, according to the NWS on Friday morning.

The Winter Storm Watch is in effect for all of Massachusetts, except for the Berkshires, Cape Cod and the Islands, as well as portions of Connecticut and Rhode Island.

Snow is expected to start late Saturday night shortly before midnight and become heavy in the early morning hours of Sunday.

Travel could be very difficult at that time, according to the NWS.

The good news about this storm is that it will be mostly snow with little ice and freezing rain mixing in the far south. There is also not expected to be significant wind, tidal damage or wind associated with the storm.

It is also falling on the weekend so schools will not be affected.

A widespread 5 to 8 inches are expected with higher amounts in southern New England and the chance for lesser amounts across northern Massachusetts into southern New Hampshire.

The Winter Storm Watch is in effect from 7 p.m. on Saturday to 4 p.m. on Sunday.

Sunday should see clearing late in the morning into the afternoon for those who have plans for the big game.

After a bright and sunny day on Monday with highs near 35 degrees, snow chances return throughout next week with snow likely Tuesday night through Thursday, possibly mixed with rain at times as temperatures hover in the 30s.

(Scott Souza is a Patch field editor covering Beverly, Danvers, Marblehead, Peabody, Salem and Swampscott. He can be reached at Scott.Souza@Patch.com. X/Twitter: @Scott_Souza.)