Blizzard Warning Issued for Braintree Area; Friday's Storm Could Drop 2 Feet of Snow

Almost 35years to the day of the anniversary of the Blizzard of '78, the Boston area is expected to get walloped by another snowstorm, which may drop as much as a foot or two of snow this Friday into Saturday.

Local meteorologists are projecting about 2 feet of snow for the Boston area, including Braintree. This area is under a blizzard warning, from Friday morning until Saturday afternoon, according to the National Weather Service.

WHDH Channel 7 projects 16-24 inches for this storm, with isolated areas getting around 30 inches; WCVB Channel 5 projects 12-24 inches; WBZ Channel 4 projects 18-24+ inches, with some areas getting as much as 30 inches; and FOX 25 projects more than a foot.

According to the National Weather Service, "snow should start early Friday morning, become strongest Friday evening, then taper off Saturday.  The snow could mix with or change to rain across south coastal parts of Rhode Island and Massachusetts during Friday afternoon before changing back to snow by evening.  Snowfall rates of 1 to 2 inches per hour are possible."

The National Weather Service forecasts about 2 feet of snow. 

This is projected to be the heaviest snowfall the area has seen since January of 2011.

There will be lighter snow for the Friday morning commute, with the snow picking up over the course of the day and becoming heavy for the Friday evening commute, 7 News meteorologist Jeremy Reiner said during his midday forecast on Wednesday. There could be bursts of thunder snow, which could lead to snow total being closer to 2 feet, he said.

According to the National Weather Service, "Travel will become difficult, especially for the morning and evening commutes on Friday lasting through early Saturday. Snow covered roads and poor visibilities from drifting snow is possible.  Strong winds and significant snow accumulations may bring down power lines and tree limbs, especially during Friday night and Saturday. Finally, minor to moderate coastal flooding around the time of high tide Friday night and Saturday morning."

Follow updates at our Braintree storm information center: http://braintree.patch.com/articles/blizzard-of-2013-braintree-info-center