MA's Mild Weather Giving Way To Snow: How Much Is Expected?

MASSACHUSETTS — Massachusetts residents keep getting teased with promises of the first snowfall of the season, and this weekend's forecast isn't likely to scratch that itch for many seasoned New Englanders.

Temperatures in the 50s are expected to continue throughout much of the day before falling to the 30s overnight into Saturday morning. The National Weather Service says Massachusetts can expect widespread snow and sleet Saturday morning into the early afternoon, followed by an icky mix of sleet and light freezing rain by the evening.

The highest snow totals are projected for areas closer to the New Hampshire border, but parts of central and western Massachusetts could see 2-3 inches. The forecast calls for 1-2 inches and under 1 inch for the South Shore and the Cape.

The precipitation is part of a wintry storm hitting the northeast this weekend, the brunt of which Massachusetts is expected to avoid.

According to AccuWeather meteorologist Paul Pastelok, "fresh cold air will dive in from the north ahead of this storm by Saturday, and precipitation will be more wintry with snow and ice expected across northern areas of the Northeast."

Heavier snow will hit much of Maine, Vermont, New Hampshire and northern New York, but in Massachusetts, precipitation will look more like snow/ice turning to rain, according to AccuWeather.

Here's a look at this weekend's forecast in Boston, via the National Weather Service:

Saturday

Snow, mainly after 11 a.m. High near 35. Northwest winds, 5 to 10 mph becoming east in the afternoon. Chance of precipitation is 100 percent. New snow accumulation of less than one inch possible.

Saturday Night

Rain. Low around 33. East winds, 7 to 9 mph becoming north after midnight. Chance of precipitation is 100 percent. New precipitation amounts between a half and three quarters of an inch possible.

Sunday

A chance of snow, mainly before 11 a.m. Partly sunny, with a high near 38. Northwest winds, 10 to 14 mph. Chance of precipitation is 40 percent. New snow accumulation of less than a half inch possible.

Sunday Night

Mostly clear, with a low around 18. Northwest winds, 9 to 13 mph.