Parts of Massachusetts have a 50-50 shot at seeing a foot of snow this week
Some parts of the Bay State could get up to a foot of snow this week as a series of weather systems make their way through the region, according to the National Weather Service.
High elevation regions like the Berkshires and northern Worcester County have upwards of a 50% chance of seeing a foot of snowfall midweek, NWS Meteorologist Torry Dooley told the Herald.
There is a 60% to 70% chance those regions see six inches or more by Thursday, according to the forecaster.
“There is some possibility for some significant snow,” Dooley said.
The rest of the state will probably just get wet for most of the week, he said, though there is a chance the Boston region sees some wintery mix that does not stick around after falling.
“These systems during the off seasons are always difficult, because there isn’t really much cold air locked in place,” he said. “It’s really marginal temperatures for snow to accumulate.”
Monday will see highs in the mid-50s and could be rainy but won’t be a total washout, according to the meteorologist. Most of the rain that does fall will be felt south of Boston and around the Cape, he said. Overnight temperatures fall just below 40 degrees.
The mercury only climbs into the mid-40s on Tuesday and rain showers are possible in the afternoon, Dooley said. NWS predicts up to an inch of rain is possible with a 30% chance of precipitation. The chance of rain increases steadily overnight and rain becomes likely after 3 a.m. Wednesday.
It will be chilly, windy, and wet on Wednesday, with a 90% chance of rain, highs barely reaching into the low-40s and gusts up to 40 mph possible. Overnight lows stay above freezing for most of the state but could fall below 30 degrees in high elevations and bring the snow along, Dooley said.
Rain is likely Thursday, according to the weather service, when there is a 70% chance of precipitation and more gusty wind forecast. High temperatures will hover in the low-40s through the day before falling close to freezing overnight.
The clouds part somewhat and the chance of rain falls to 30% by Friday, when the temperature is expected to climb back into the mid-40s. Similar conditions are called for Saturday. Sunday could bring mid-50s temps under sunny skies.
“There’s really no good way to sugar coat: we have another active weather week ahead with rain Tuesday through Thursday night,” Dooley said.
There is some concern another week of rainfall could lead to flooding, Dooley said, and the weather service will be monitoring the river and stream levels to determine if weather advisories are required. NWS will likely have a snowfall map available later this week, he said.