Western Massachusetts and Northern New England are experiencing an early winter with notable snowfall, but Boston remains on the sidelines, yet to see its first significant accumulation this season. However, this could change late Saturday as a nimble coastal storm approaches, bringing the potential for scattered to steady light snow starting overnight and lasting into early Sunday afternoon. This weather may affect fans heading to the much-anticipated Patriots-Bills game at Gillette Stadium.
While the snowfall is expected to be brief, meteorologists have issued winter weather advisories for much of Southeastern Massachusetts, Cape Cod, Rhode Island, and southern Connecticut. Drivers should brace for slick roads, particularly on Sunday morning.
Current forecasts indicate possible snowfall totals varying across the region. Light snow may start falling between 10 p.m. and midnight, with predictions as follows:
- Coating to 1 inch: Areas of the North Shore, approaching the New Hampshire border, extending west along Route 2 to the Berkshires; includes southern New Hampshire and southern Vermont.
- 1 to 3 inches: Greater Boston stretching west to the Berkshires, areas along and south of the Mass Pike, Southeastern Massachusetts, the Outer Cape, and parts of inland Rhode Island and Connecticut.
- 3 to 4 inches: The South Coast of Massachusetts, coastal Rhode Island, most of Cape Cod, and the islands nearby.
A winter weather advisory will be in effect beginning at 10 p.m. Saturday and lasting into Sunday for parts of Southern New England, warning residents to prepare for potentially hazardous driving conditions.
The storm’s snowfall is anticipated to cover much of Southern New England, beginning Saturday night and continuing into the first half of Sunday. Historically, Boston typically records its first inch of snowfall by December 11, but this year has brought only minimal accumulation despite the chilly December weather. As temperatures hover around freezing, wind chills on Sunday afternoon are projected to dip significantly, ranging from the upper teens to around 20 degrees, potentially feeling near zero in areas to the north and west.
Temperatures across most of New England on Sunday will reach highs in the upper 20s to mid-30s. Wind gusts could reach approximately 20 mph, contributing to a brisk winter day.
Following this weather system, a significant drop in temperatures is expected due to a polar vortex moving into the region. By Sunday night, temperatures could tumble into the teens, with Monday high temperatures struggling to exceed the low to mid-20s throughout most of New England.
Residents are encouraged to stay updated on weather developments as the region transitions into colder conditions.
