Nor'easter May Bring Up To 8 Inches Of Wet, Heavy Snow To MA

MASSACHUSETTS — Forecasters who 24 hours ago were hedging on whether an incoming storm would bring snow now say up to 8 inches could fall in parts of Massachusetts this weekend.

A lot of precipitation is expected Saturday, with rain turning to snow Saturday afternoon in what could be a significant nor'easter. Snow could fall at rates of 1-2 inches per hour.

Stiff winds are also expected, combining with the wet, heavy snow to elevate the risk for power outages. The strongest wind gusts could reach over 50 miles per hour along the coast, much of which may only see a dusting of snow.

Forecasters are still unclear on the exact location for snow accumulation and how much will fall, but say the interior part of the state and north of Boston are at greatest risk for the storm. Those areas are under a winter storm watch.

Boston-area forecast via National Weather Service

This Afternoon - Partly sunny, with a high near 58. Southwest wind around 13 mph, with gusts as high as 23 mph.

Tonight - Rain. Low around 42. Southwest wind 6 to 11 mph becoming light and variable after midnight. Chance of precipitation is 80%. New precipitation amounts between a tenth and quarter of an inch possible.

Saturday - Rain before 5pm, then rain and snow. The snow could be heavy at times. Temperature falling to around 34 by 3pm. Breezy, with a north wind 6 to 11 mph increasing to 17 to 22 mph in the afternoon. Winds could gust as high as 40 mph. Chance of precipitation is 100%. New snow accumulation of around an inch possible.

Saturday Night - Snow, mainly before 11pm. The snow could be heavy at times. Low around 29. Blustery, with a west wind 17 to 23 mph, with gusts as high as 43 mph. Chance of precipitation is 100%. New snow accumulation of 2 to 4 inches possible.

Sunday - Mostly sunny, with a high near 38. Northwest wind 11 to 16 mph, with gusts as high as 29 mph.

Sunday Night - Mostly clear, with a low around 27. West wind 7 to 10 mph, with gusts as high as 22 mph.

Monday - Mostly sunny, with a high near 38. West wind 7 to 11 mph.

Monday Night - Partly cloudy, with a low around 25. Northwest wind 6 to 9 mph.

Tuesday - Mostly sunny, with a high near 38. Northwest wind 6 to 9 mph.

Tuesday Night - Partly cloudy, with a low around 26. Northwest wind 5 to 7 mph.

Wednesday - Mostly sunny, with a high near 42. West wind 5 to 9 mph.

Wednesday Night - Partly cloudy, with a low around 32. West wind 7 to 9 mph.

Thursday - Mostly sunny, with a high near 47. West wind 7 to 11 mph.