Snowfall Prediction Increases for Beverly

The National Weather Service has upped its snowfall prediction for Beverly on Wednesday. The weather service is now predicting that Beverly will most likely get between 2 and 4 inches of snow on Wednesday and into Thursday.

There is a possibility for even more snow, but it will depend on the track of the storm.

The NWS is predicting rain and snow will mix on Wednesday morning and that should change to all snow on Wednesday afternoon and night. The storm may stretch into Thursday morning. The heaviest snowfall will happen Wednesday afternoon and evening, according to the weather service.

A winter storm watch is in effect for Wednesday morning through Thursday morning. The winter storm watch was issued at 11:13 a.m. on Tuesday because of the potential of accumulating snow of 6 inches or more in a 12 hour period on Wednesday.

Just a few miles to the west of Beverly, the forecast calls for up to 10 inches of snow and the weather service says “forecast certainty is low given the rain/snow line with meander across the area” and added that “snowfall amounts will likely vary greatly across (the greater Boston) region.”

“Anyone traveling in the next 24-36 hours should monitor later forecasts and be prepared to modify travel plans should winter weather develop,” the weather service said in issuing the winter storm watch.

Wednesday is one of the busiest travel days of the year and the NWS is predicting potentially dangerous driving at times with visibility of one-quarter of a mile or less on Wednesday.

The Massachusetts Emergency Management Agency is suggesting drivers leave for Thanksgiving travel on Tuesday or Wednesday morning and not wait until later on Wednesday.