Strong Nor'easter To Clip Massachusetts: Here's What To Expect

A strong nor'easter is expected to clip Southern New England Friday night. Most of Massachusetts will avoid a direct hit from the passing storm, but some the Cape and Islands will see between 2-6 inches of snow while the rest of the state could see a dusting.

Heavy winds are also expected, gusting up to 60 miles per hour on the Cape and 45-50 mph along the coast. Downed tree limbs could mean overnight power outages.

The storm is expected to do most of its damage over the water. The National Weather Service has issued a storm warning over the coastal waters. There is also a high wind warning for the Cape, a coastal flood advisory for the South Shore and a wind advisory along the North Shore coast.

The storm's strength will be felt between 10 p.m. Friday and 10 a.m. Saturday. The snowfall is expected to be some 2-4 inches across the Cape and Martha's Vineyard. Nantucket is looking at 3-6 inches.

The burst of winter isn't expected to last long. The skies will begin clearing Saturday afternoon and high temperatures will be in the mid-50s Sunday and mid-60s Monday.

Boston-area forecast via NWS

Today - Mostly cloudy, with a high near 47. Calm wind becoming northeast 5 to 9 mph in the morning. Winds could gust as high as 21 mph.

Tonight - A slight chance of rain and snow before 10pm, then a chance of snow between 10pm and 1am. Cloudy, with a low around 26. North wind 13 to 16 mph, with gusts as high as 34 mph. Chance of precipitation is 30%. New snow accumulation of less than a half inch possible.

Saturday - Mostly cloudy through mid morning, then gradual clearing, with a high near 40. North wind 10 to 14 mph, with gusts as high as 31 mph.

Saturday Night - Mostly clear, with a low around 25. Northwest wind 6 to 11 mph becoming light west after midnight.

Sunday - Mostly sunny, with a high near 52. Calm wind becoming west 5 to 7 mph in the morning. Winds could gust as high as 21 mph.

Sunday Night - Partly cloudy, with a low around 37. Light southwest wind.

Monday - Partly sunny, with a high near 60. Southwest wind 3 to 6 mph.

Monday Night - Mostly cloudy, with a low around 42. Light and variable wind.

Tuesday - A chance of rain after 1pm. Cloudy, with a high near 56. Calm wind becoming south around 5 mph. Chance of precipitation is 30%.

Tuesday Night - A chance of rain before 8pm. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 40. Calm wind. Chance of precipitation is 30%.

Wednesday - A chance of rain. Partly sunny, with a high near 52. Light and variable wind. Chance of precipitation is 30%.

Wednesday Night - A chance of rain. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 36. Light and variable wind. Chance of precipitation is 50%.

Thursday - Partly sunny, with a high near 48. North wind 3 to 5 mph. Winds could gust as high as 20 mph.