Late winter storm packing rain, snow, high winds

People in the Northeast can expect pretty severe weather conditions. The entire coast from ME down to Washington, D.C. has received high wind watches and warnings, according to The Weather Channel.

Rainfall will be heavy, especially during the day on Friday, on the order of 1 to 3 inches, with some places seeing more.

In the Lowell area, a flood watch is in effect Friday through Saturday morning. Coastal flooding is likely as well. The weekend will feature sunshine in full supply; highs will be in the low 60s Saturday and mid 60s Sunday.

The coastal flood warning is in effect from 7 a.m. Friday through 11 p.m. Saturday along the Rhode Island and MA south coast.

But moderate to major flooding is likely along the eastern coast of MA; residents in vulnerable coastal locations are being strongly urged to evacuate by local officials. All of the damage in these areas was the result of strong straight-line winds; there was no tornado involved. “This is a LIFE & DEATH situation”, the National Weather Service in Boston said. “Travel will be hard, especially for high profile vehicles”, the NWS said.

The flooding potential is greater in MA, along the east-facing shoreline. The majority of roads are expected to remain passable with only isolated closures. “Vehicles parked in vulnerable areas near the waterfront would become flooded”.

Mainly rain for most of the state.

Along with rising tides and heavy rains, the weather system will bring strong winds between 20 miles per hour and 40 miles per hour, and gusts may reach 65 miles per hour in Boston, according to the weather service and city officials.

The rain will turn to snow Friday morning with significant accumulation in the northwestern hills, he said. Temperature falling to around 36 by 10am.

“The entire state could see a change to snow before the precipitation ends late Friday night“, DePrest said. Low around 36. Wind chill values between 25 and 30.

Saturday morning brings a chance of snow before 8 a.m. and then a chance of rain.

Sunday: Partly cloudy, chilly. Parts of western and central NY into northern Pennsylvania will likely see the most snowfall, with accumulations of over 12 inches (30 centimeters), according to The Weather Channel.

“Do not ride out the storm if you are told to evacuate”, he said at a news conference.

Eversource said it’s prepared.

Heavy rains, monthly extreme high tides and a wind-driven storm surge could combine to cause several feet of water to flow onto streets in coastal parts of Boston and up and down the shoreline, government and private weather forecasters warned.