Here’s what local meteorologists are saying about the upcoming coastal storm
The heaviest rain is expected between midnight and 6 a.m. early Friday morning.
A coastal storm could bring over an inch of rain to Boston and a “dusting” of snow, but the winds following behind the storm are more of a cause for concern, according to the National Weather Service.
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The storm, moving into New England from the Mid-Atlantic coast, is projected to bring rain Thursday night, starting around 7 p.m. in Boston or afterward, with the heaviest rain dropping between midnight and 6 a.m., according to Kim Buttrick, a meteorologist with the service. Rainfall could measure between 1/2 and 1 1/2 inches.
[1035 am] Just a few spot showers into early this evening across western MA/northern CT, otherwise mostly cloudy/dry with temps in the 40s to near 50. Heavy rain occurs between midnight and 6 am Fri, but sct showers linger through Fri night ending as snow showers by early Sat am
— NWS Boston (@NWSBoston) March 21, 2019
“Now as the storm heads farther northeast toward Maine, on the backside of the storm we could have some scattered snow showers,” she said. “This would be Friday night.”
The snow would simply be a “trace” or a “dusting,” Buttrick added.
The wind is forecasted to start Friday afternoon and continue on into the evening and Saturday.
“We’re going to have blustery west, northwest winds,” Buttrick said.
Sustained winds are projected to be 20 to 30 mph with gusts up to 50 mph. “The winds will start picking up Friday afternoon and then really come in, whip across the region during the day Saturday,” she said.
The storm may bring some coastal flooding.
“There could be minor impacts during the high-tide cycle Friday afternoon, midday like noon to 2 p.m., and by minor we’re looking at, it could have impacts to Morrissey Boulevard,” Buttrick said. “There could be some splash over, the road could be closed for a period of time due to splash over.”
The potential flooding is due to a mix of the full moon creating astronomical high tides plus “the seas building because of the strong winds,” according to Buttrick.
Eric Fisher, a meteorologist with WBZ, said Thursday is a “pretty decent day” before the rain starts.
Pretty decent day before tonight’s rain. Most interesting part of this storm is when the trowal rotates through Friday night/early Saturday AM which could feature some windy snow squalls pic.twitter.com/94EPzD45ed
— Eric Fisher (@ericfisher) March 21, 2019
Meteorologist David Epstein said Friday will have a “wet start.”
Not a lot of rain overnight, but enough to mean a wet start to your Friday. pic.twitter.com/7ermai1zoZ
— Dave Epstein (@growingwisdom) March 21, 2019
“At least March snow melts quickly!” said meteorologist Shiri Spear with Boston 25 News.
Minor snow accumulation Friday night – Saturday morning. At least March snow melts quickly!#mawx #nhwx @boston25 pic.twitter.com/JbVcC0IaLz
— Shiri Spear (@ShiriSpear) March 21, 2019
https://twitter.com/ShiriSpear/status/1108683501346287617
