Christmas Storm Could Bring Major Power Outages, 70 MPH Winds

MASSACHUSETTS — A Christmas storm expected to bring powerful wind gusts could leave many across southern New England without power for days.

National Grid is preparing for a "multi-day power restoration event," with extra crews on call in case of downed trees and power lines.

"We have canceled employee vacations, secured additional crews, and put emergency plans in place in anticipation of this severe, ill-timed storm," said Michael McCallan, vice president of New England Electric Operations for National Grid. "We’re prepared for the storm and its aftermath. We recognize that no outage is convenient, and we’re particularly conscious of the timing of this storm, when so many of our customers will be celebrating the holidays at home during what continues to be a challenging year."

Winds that could gust up to 70 mph are expected to start late Thursday night and persist through Christmas morning, potentially knocking down tree limbs and power lines and making travel difficult. Heavy rain could also cause flooding. The National Weather Service announced a high wind warning for most of the state from midnight to noon Friday.

"Widespread power outages are expected," the weather service said in an alert. "Travel will be difficult, especially for high profile vehicles."

Temperatures will be warm enough — perhaps into the 60s — Friday morning to squash any possibility of snow on Christmas.

The warm-up won't last long. Temperatures will dip back below freezing by Saturday night.

Boston-area forecast via National Weather Service

Today - Mostly cloudy, with a high near 56. South wind 9 to 11 mph, with gusts as high as 28 mph.

Tonight - Rain, mainly after midnight. Patchy fog. Temperature rising to around 59 by 5am. South wind 13 to 18 mph, with gusts as high as 60 mph. Chance of precipitation is 80%. New precipitation amounts between a quarter and half of an inch possible.

Christmas Day - Rain and possibly a thunderstorm before 3pm, then rain likely. Some of the storms could produce heavy rainfall. Patchy fog after 11am. Temperature rising to near 63 by 10am, then falling to around 51 during the remainder of the day. Breezy, with a south wind 10 to 20 mph, with gusts as high as 65 mph. Chance of precipitation is 100%. New precipitation amounts between 1 and 2 inches possible.

Friday Night - A chance of rain before 8pm, then a chance of showers between 8pm and 1am. Patchy fog before 8pm. Otherwise, cloudy, then gradually becoming partly cloudy, with a low around 29. South wind 7 to 10 mph, with gusts as high as 20 mph. Chance of precipitation is 40%. New precipitation amounts between a tenth and quarter of an inch possible.

Saturday - Mostly sunny, with a high near 34. West wind 6 to 8 mph.

Saturday Night - Mostly clear, with a low around 24. West wind 6 to 8 mph.

Sunday - Sunny, with a high near 37. West wind around 7 mph.

Sunday Night - Partly cloudy, with a low around 26. South wind 3 to 5 mph.

Monday - Mostly cloudy, with a high near 48. Light south wind increasing to 5 to 9 mph in the morning.

Monday Night - Partly cloudy, with a low around 30. Southwest wind around 8 mph.

Tuesday - Mostly sunny, with a high near 34. West wind 8 to 14 mph.

Tuesday Night - Mostly clear, with a low around 22. Northwest wind 10 to 13 mph.

Wednesday - Sunny, with a high near 34. Northwest wind around 10 mph.