Heavy rain and flood watch for Massachusetts Saturday, while snow returns up north
BOSTON - Here we go again! For the fourth time this month (and the third time on a weekend), we have the potential for heavy rainfall and flooding in Massachusetts.
With groundwater levels already very high and many rivers swollen from past storms, once again, we run the risk for some localized flooding.
The National Weather Service has issued a Flood Watch from Saturday morning until Sunday morning for all of eastern Massachusetts.
When does the rain arrive?
There will be enough cold air in place Friday night for points north and west to develop a light wintry mix (ice and snow) in the beginning hours of the storm. There may be some flurries in the air as we approach midnight Friday.
Overnight into early Saturday morning, the precipitation will become steadier and there could be light sleet and snow accumulation in areas north of the Massachusetts Turnpike and more so, close to the Massachusetts/New Hampshire border.
After dawn on Saturday, warmer air will flood northward changing any wintry precipitation over to rain in southern New England. The last areas to switch from sleet to rain will be the higher elevations of Worcester County and the Berkshires. In these areas, the sleet may hang on until later Saturday morning.
From there, it is all rain. The heaviest downpours will come between late afternoon and midnight on Saturday. This is when we are most concerned about street flooding. High wind gusts are also not expected to help the situation as gusts could exceed 30-40+ mph.
After midnight, the rain will slowly taper. Southeastern Massachusetts (including the Cape and Islands) will be last to dry out with some light showers lingering into early Sunday morning. Otherwise, Sunday will be dry, albeit mostly cloudy, and on the chilly side.
How much rain?
A widespread 1 to 3 inches of rainfall is expected.
Where will snow fall?
A very early coating to an inch up near the Massachusetts/New Hampshire border, all to be washed away by rain. Really need to get into the Green Mountains and central New Hampshire to see an inch or more.
Wind and coastal issues
Wind is not a major factor with this storm. During Saturday night, we could see southeasterly gusts topping 40 mph over Cape Cod and the Islands. Sunday will be gusty across all of southern New England, but below warning levels. Looking at northerly gusts between 20 to 35 mph.
Costal issues are also not a major concern this go around. Astronomically, the levels are a few feet lower than during our last event. There may be some pockets of minor flooding during the Saturday night high tide (after 11 p.m.) along south or southeast facing beaches across southeastern Massachusetts.
Fresh snow for skiing
Great news for those looking to get in some spring skiing! More than a foot of fresh snow is expected to fall across most of the ski areas in central and northern Vermont, New Hampshire and Maine!