First Come The Storms, Then The Snowflakes

Let is snow, let is snow, let it snow. As long as it's out in the Berkshires.

The first real flakes of the season are expected this weekend, though you wouldn't know it in most of Massachusetts.

But first we must brave Friday, which will feature blustery thunderstorms. Wind gusts will blow as strong as 50 miles per hour along the coast and 35 m.p.h. outside of I-495. There is an increased risk of severe thunderstorms south of Boston, and even a low chance of a tornado.

"A 2-4 hour period of heavy rain, gusty winds and a few embedded t-storms are expected later today," the National Weather Service said Friday morning.

Then comes the snow, but don't even think about the shovels yet.

"Specifically for this weekend, we’re looking at two main timeframes for everyone’s favorite (or least favorite depending on the time of year) four-letter weather word," NBC Boston meteorologist Aaron Perry told Patch.

Saturday night will see a coating to an inch of snow in the higher elevations, beginning in the Berkshires and stretching all the way up to northern Maine, according to Perry. (For the snow-inclined, the mountains in Vermont and New Hampshire could see as much as 4 inches of the white stuff.)

The next snow will come Sunday into Monday night. Again there will be a few inches in the mountains, but otherwise some very scattered showers out west.

The bottom line: You'll need to be in the right place at the right time to catch the first real snow of the season. But don't worry if you miss it, it'll likely come to a town near you soon enough. Worcester usually sees its first snow before Thanksgiving and Boston soon after.

Boston-area forecast via NWS

Today — Showers and possibly a thunderstorm. Some of the storms could produce gusty winds and heavy rain. Patchy fog after 11am. High near 64. Breezy, with a southeast wind 18 to 24 mph, with gusts as high as 37 mph. Chance of precipitation is 100%. New rainfall amounts between 1 and 2 inches possible.

Tonight — A chance of showers and thunderstorms before 8pm, then a slight chance of showers between 8pm and 9pm. Some of the storms could produce gusty winds and heavy rain. Cloudy during the early evening, then gradual clearing, with a low around 45. South wind 5 to 11 mph becoming northwest after midnight. Chance of precipitation is 30%. New precipitation amounts between a tenth and quarter of an inch, except higher amounts possible in thunderstorms.

Saturday — A slight chance of showers after 4pm. Increasing clouds, with a high near 60. Light and variable wind becoming south 6 to 11 mph in the afternoon. Chance of precipitation is 20%.

Saturday night — A chance of showers and thunderstorms before midnight, then a slight chance of showers between midnight and 2am. Some of the storms could produce gusty winds. Cloudy during the early evening, then gradual clearing, with a low around 36. Breezy, with a west wind 10 to 20 mph, with gusts as high as 39 mph. Chance of precipitation is 50%. New precipitation amounts of less than a tenth of an inch, except higher amounts possible in thunderstorms.

Sunday — Mostly sunny, with a high near 52. West wind 7 to 13 mph, with gusts as high as 23 mph.

Sunday night — A chance of rain, mainly after 2am. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 38. Southwest wind 3 to 6 mph. Chance of precipitation is 40%.

Monday — A chance of rain before 4pm. Partly sunny, with a high near 50. West wind 3 to 8 mph. Chance of precipitation is 50%.

Monday night — Partly cloudy, with a low around 35. West wind 8 to 10 mph.

Worcester-area forecast via NWS

Today — Showers. The rain could be heavy at times. Patchy fog. High near 64. South wind 11 to 15 mph, with gusts as high as 32 mph. Chance of precipitation is 100%. New precipitation amounts between 1 and 2 inches possible.

Tonight — A chance of showers, mainly before 7pm. The rain could be heavy at times. Cloudy during the early evening, then gradual clearing, with a low around 40. West wind 5 to 8 mph. Chance of precipitation is 30%. New precipitation amounts between a tenth and quarter of an inch possible.

Saturday — A chance of showers, mainly after 5pm. Sunny, with a high near 58. Light and variable wind becoming south 5 to 10 mph in the morning. Chance of precipitation is 30%. New precipitation amounts of less than a tenth of an inch possible.

Saturday night — Showers and thunderstorms likely before midnight, then a slight chance of showers between midnight and 1am. Some of the storms could produce gusty winds. Cloudy during the early evening, then gradual clearing, with a low around 34. West wind 10 to 18 mph, with gusts as high as 37 mph. Chance of precipitation is 60%. New precipitation amounts of less than a tenth of an inch, except higher amounts possible in thunderstorms.

Sunday — Mostly sunny, with a high near 49. West wind 8 to 11 mph, with gusts as high as 23 mph.

Sunday night — A chance of rain, mainly after 1am. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 35. Southwest wind 3 to 6 mph. Chance of precipitation is 40%.

Monday — A chance of rain before 4pm. Partly sunny, with a high near 47. Light southwest wind becoming west 5 to 9 mph in the morning. Chance of precipitation is 50%.

Monday night — Partly cloudy, with a low around 32. West wind 7 to 9 mph.