Alert archive / Massachusetts / Winter Storm Watches in 2021

Winter Storm Watch 2, NWS Boston/Norton, MA

January 30, 202110 counties in Massachusetts; 5 counties in Rhode Island; Capitol Planning Region, Northeastern Connecticut Planning Region, Connecticut

NWS Boston/Norton, MA issued this winter storm watch at Jan 30, 2021, 3:28 PM EST for 10 counties in Massachusetts; 5 counties in Rhode Island; Capitol Planning Region, Northeastern Connecticut Planning Region, Connecticut. It took effect at Feb 1, 2021, 7:00 AM EST. It was in force for .

The area

The counties it named.

The facts

Issued
Jan 30, 2021, 3:28 PM EST (20:28 UTC)
In effect from
Feb 1, 2021, 7:00 AM EST
Expired
Jan 31, 2021, 3:37 PM EST
In force
Issued by
NWS Boston/Norton, MA

Counties Capitol Planning Region, CT, Northeastern Connecticut Planning Region, CT, Bristol County, MA, Essex County, MA, Franklin County, MA, Hampden County, MA, Hampshire County, MA, Middlesex County, MA, Norfolk County, MA, Plymouth County, MA, Suffolk County, MA, Worcester County, MA, Bristol County, RI, Kent County, RI, Newport County, RI, Providence County, RI, Washington County, RI

The radar

The Boston radar (KBOX), 43 km from the middle of the area, began a volume at 20:30 UTC, the scan nearest the moment this went out.

Open the radar archive at this moment

The archived warnings, watches and discussions in force at that minute are drawn over the scan, this one among them.

The nearest sounding before it

Chatham, MA (KCHH), launched 12:00Z, 8.5 hours before the alert went out and 145 km from the middle of its area. This is the routine balloon launch nearest before it, the air the forecaster had in hand, not a measurement taken for the alert.

Skew-T log-pSkew-T log-p diagram, Chatham, MA at 12:00Z on 2021-01-30Temperature and dew point through the depth of the atmosphere, with the mixed-layer parcel. CAPE 0 joules per kilogram.LCL10008507005003002001001 km2 km3 km6 km9 km12 km15 km-30°-20°-10°10°20°30°40°
Temperature in red, dew point in green, the mixed-layer parcel dashed.
HodographHodograph, Chatham, MA at 12:00Z on 2021-01-30The wind through the lowest 10 kilometers. Zero to 1 km storm-relative helicity 19 square meters per square second.193958Sfc1 km3 km6 km9 kmRMLM
The wind turning with height, colored by layer: ground to 1 km, 1 to 3 km, 3 to 6 km, 6 to 10 km.
Mixed-layer CAPE
0 J/kg
Mixed-layer CIN
No buoyant parcel
Mixed-layer LCL
682 m above ground
0-6 km bulk shear
34 kt
0-1 km storm-relative helicity
19 m²/s²
0-3 km storm-relative helicity
16 m²/s²
Significant tornado parameter
0.0
Supercell composite
0.0

Open this sounding in Storm Lab

The text

As transmitted.

429 
WWUS41 KBOX 302028
WSWBOX

URGENT - WINTER WEATHER MESSAGE
National Weather Service Boston/Norton MA
328 PM EST Sat Jan 30 2021

CTZ002>004-MAZ002>017-026-RIZ001>006-310830-
/O.NEW.KBOX.WS.A.0002.210201T1200Z-210202T1800Z/
Hartford CT-Tolland CT-Windham CT-Western Franklin MA-
Eastern Franklin MA-Northern Worcester MA-Central Middlesex MA-
Western Essex MA-Eastern Essex MA-Western Hampshire MA-
Western Hampden MA-Eastern Hampshire MA-Eastern Hampden MA-
Southern Worcester MA-Western Norfolk MA-Southeast Middlesex MA-
Suffolk MA-Eastern Norfolk MA-Northern Bristol MA-
Northern Middlesex MA-Northwest Providence RI-
Southeast Providence RI-Western Kent RI-Eastern Kent RI-
Bristol RI-Washington RI-
Including the cities of Hartford, Windsor Locks, Union, Vernon, 
Putnam, Willimantic, Charlemont, Greenfield, Orange, Barre, 
Fitchburg, Framingham, Lowell, Lawrence, Gloucester, 
Chesterfield, Blandford, Amherst, Northampton, Springfield, 
Milford, Worcester, Foxborough, Norwood, Cambridge, Boston, 
Quincy, Taunton, Ayer, Foster, Smithfield, Providence, Coventry, 
West Greenwich, East Greenwich, Warwick, West Warwick, Bristol, 
Narragansett, and Westerly
328 PM EST Sat Jan 30 2021

...WINTER STORM WATCH IN EFFECT FROM MONDAY MORNING THROUGH
TUESDAY AFTERNOON...

* WHAT...Heavy snow possible. Total snow accumulations of 6 to 12
  inches possible. Winds could gust as high as 35 mph.

* WHERE...Portions of northern Connecticut, central, eastern,
  northeastern, southeastern and western Massachusetts and
  northern and southern Rhode Island. This also includes the
  cities of Boston, Providence, Hartford and Worcester. 

* WHEN...From Monday morning through Tuesday afternoon.

* IMPACTS...Travel could be very difficult. The hazardous
  conditions will likely impact the evening commute Monday.


PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...

Monitor the latest forecasts for updates on this situation. 

&&

$$

Nocera/Williams
4 follow-up statements
235 
WWUS41 KBOX 310327
WSWBOX

URGENT - WINTER WEATHER MESSAGE
National Weather Service Boston/Norton MA
1027 PM EST Sat Jan 30 2021

CTZ002>004-MAZ002>017-026-RIZ001>006-311130-
/O.CON.KBOX.WS.A.0002.210201T1200Z-210202T1800Z/
Hartford CT-Tolland CT-Windham CT-Western Franklin MA-
Eastern Franklin MA-Northern Worcester MA-Central Middlesex MA-
Western Essex MA-Eastern Essex MA-Western Hampshire MA-
Western Hampden MA-Eastern Hampshire MA-Eastern Hampden MA-
Southern Worcester MA-Western Norfolk MA-Southeast Middlesex MA-
Suffolk MA-Eastern Norfolk MA-Northern Bristol MA-
Northern Middlesex MA-Northwest Providence RI-
Southeast Providence RI-Western Kent RI-Eastern Kent RI-
Bristol RI-Washington RI-
Including the cities of Hartford, Windsor Locks, Union, Vernon, 
Putnam, Willimantic, Charlemont, Greenfield, Orange, Barre, 
Fitchburg, Framingham, Lowell, Lawrence, Gloucester, 
Chesterfield, Blandford, Amherst, Northampton, Springfield, 
Milford, Worcester, Foxborough, Norwood, Cambridge, Boston, 
Quincy, Taunton, Ayer, Foster, Smithfield, Providence, Coventry, 
West Greenwich, East Greenwich, Warwick, West Warwick, Bristol, 
Narragansett, and Westerly
1027 PM EST Sat Jan 30 2021

...WINTER STORM WATCH REMAINS IN EFFECT FROM MONDAY MORNING
THROUGH TUESDAY AFTERNOON...

* WHAT...Heavy snow possible. Total snow accumulations of 6 to 
  12 inches possible. Winds could gust as high as 35 mph.

* WHERE...Portions of northern Connecticut, central, eastern, 
  northeastern, southeastern and western Massachusetts and 
  northern and southern Rhode Island. This also includes the 
  cities of Boston, Providence, Hartford and Worcester.

* WHEN...From Monday morning through Tuesday afternoon.

* IMPACTS...Travel could be very difficult. The hazardous 
  conditions will likely impact the evening commute Monday.

PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...

Monitor the latest forecasts for updates on this situation. 

&&

$$
198 
WWUS41 KBOX 310847
WSWBOX

URGENT - WINTER WEATHER MESSAGE
National Weather Service Boston/Norton MA
347 AM EST Sun Jan 31 2021

MAZ018>021-RIZ007-311700-
/O.EXB.KBOX.WS.A.0002.210201T1200Z-210202T2100Z/
Western Plymouth MA-Eastern Plymouth MA-Southern Bristol MA-
Southern Plymouth MA-Newport RI-
Including the cities of Brockton, Plymouth, Fall River, 
New Bedford, Mattapoisett, and Newport
347 AM EST Sun Jan 31 2021

...WINTER STORM WATCH IN EFFECT FROM MONDAY MORNING THROUGH
TUESDAY AFTERNOON...

* WHAT...Heavy snow possible. Total snow accumulations of 4 to 8 
  inches possible. Winds could gust as high as 50 mph.

* WHERE...In Massachusetts, Western Plymouth MA, Eastern 
  Plymouth MA, Southern Bristol MA and Southern Plymouth MA 
  Counties. In Rhode Island, Newport RI County.

* WHEN...From Monday morning through Tuesday afternoon.

* IMPACTS...Travel could be very difficult. The hazardous 
  conditions will likely impact the evening commute Monday.


PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...

Monitor the latest forecasts for updates on this situation. 

&&

$$

CTZ002>004-MAZ002>016-026-RIZ001-311700-
/O.EXT.KBOX.WS.A.0002.210201T1200Z-210202T2100Z/
Hartford CT-Tolland CT-Windham CT-Western Franklin MA-
Eastern Franklin MA-Northern Worcester MA-Central Middlesex MA-
Western Essex MA-Eastern Essex MA-Western Hampshire MA-
Western Hampden MA-Eastern Hampshire MA-Eastern Hampden MA-
Southern Worcester MA-Western Norfolk MA-Southeast Middlesex MA-
Suffolk MA-Eastern Norfolk MA-Northern Middlesex MA-
Northwest Providence RI-
Including the cities of Hartford, Windsor Locks, Union, Vernon, 
Putnam, Willimantic, Charlemont, Greenfield, Orange, Barre, 
Fitchburg, Framingham, Lowell, Lawrence, Gloucester, 
Chesterfield, Blandford, Amherst, Northampton, Springfield, 
Milford, Worcester, Foxborough, Norwood, Cambridge, Boston, 
Quincy, Ayer, Foster, and Smithfield
347 AM EST Sun Jan 31 2021

...WINTER STORM WATCH NOW IN EFFECT FROM MONDAY MORNING THROUGH
TUESDAY AFTERNOON...

* WHAT...Heavy snow possible. Total snow accumulations of 6 to 
  14 inches possible. Winds could gust as high as 35 mph.

* WHERE...Portions of northern Connecticut, central, eastern, 
  northeastern, southeastern and western Massachusetts and 
  northern and southern Rhode Island. This also includes the 
  cities of Boston, Providence, Hartford and Worcester.

* WHEN...From Monday morning through Tuesday afternoon.

* IMPACTS...Travel could be very difficult. The hazardous 
  conditions will likely impact the evening commute Monday.

PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...

Monitor the latest forecasts for updates on this situation. 

&&

$$

MAZ017-RIZ002>006-311700-
/O.EXT.KBOX.WS.A.0002.210201T1200Z-210202T2100Z/
Northern Bristol MA-Southeast Providence RI-Western Kent RI-
Eastern Kent RI-Bristol RI-Washington RI-
Including the cities of Taunton, Providence, Coventry, 
West Greenwich, East Greenwich, Warwick, West Warwick, Bristol, 
Narragansett, and Westerly
347 AM EST Sun Jan 31 2021

...WINTER STORM WATCH NOW IN EFFECT FROM MONDAY MORNING THROUGH
TUESDAY AFTERNOON...

* WHAT...Heavy snow possible. Total snow accumulations of 6 to 
  12 inches possible. Winds could gust as high as 35 mph.

* WHERE...Portions of northern Connecticut, central, eastern, 
  northeastern, southeastern and western Massachusetts and 
  northern and southern Rhode Island. This also includes the 
  cities of Boston, Providence, Hartford and Worcester.

* WHEN...From Monday morning through Tuesday afternoon.

* IMPACTS...Travel could be very difficult. The hazardous 
  conditions will likely impact the evening commute Monday.

PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...

Monitor the latest forecasts for updates on this situation. 

&&

$$
947 
WWUS41 KBOX 311516
WSWBOX

URGENT - WINTER WEATHER MESSAGE
National Weather Service Boston/Norton MA
1016 AM EST Sun Jan 31 2021

CTZ002>004-MAZ002>016-026-RIZ001-312200-
/O.CON.KBOX.WS.A.0002.210201T1200Z-210202T2100Z/
Hartford CT-Tolland CT-Windham CT-Western Franklin MA-
Eastern Franklin MA-Northern Worcester MA-Central Middlesex MA-
Western Essex MA-Eastern Essex MA-Western Hampshire MA-
Western Hampden MA-Eastern Hampshire MA-Eastern Hampden MA-
Southern Worcester MA-Western Norfolk MA-Southeast Middlesex MA-
Suffolk MA-Eastern Norfolk MA-Northern Middlesex MA-
Northwest Providence RI-
Including the cities of Hartford, Windsor Locks, Union, Vernon, 
Putnam, Willimantic, Charlemont, Greenfield, Orange, Barre, 
Fitchburg, Framingham, Lowell, Lawrence, Gloucester, 
Chesterfield, Blandford, Amherst, Northampton, Springfield, 
Milford, Worcester, Foxborough, Norwood, Cambridge, Boston, 
Quincy, Ayer, Foster, and Smithfield
1016 AM EST Sun Jan 31 2021

...WINTER STORM WATCH REMAINS IN EFFECT FROM MONDAY MORNING
THROUGH TUESDAY AFTERNOON...

* WHAT...Heavy snow possible. Total snow accumulations of 6 to 
  14 inches possible. Winds could gust as high as 35 mph.

* WHERE...Portions of northern Connecticut, central, eastern, 
  northeastern, southeastern and western Massachusetts and 
  northern and southern Rhode Island. This also includes the 
  cities of Boston, Providence, Hartford and Worcester.

* WHEN...From Monday morning through Tuesday afternoon.

* IMPACTS...Travel could be very difficult. The hazardous 
  conditions will likely impact the evening commute Monday.

PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...

Monitor the latest forecasts for updates on this situation. 

&&

$$

MAZ017>021-RIZ002>007-312200-
/O.CON.KBOX.WS.A.0002.210201T1200Z-210202T2100Z/
Northern Bristol MA-Western Plymouth MA-Eastern Plymouth MA-
Southern Bristol MA-Southern Plymouth MA-Southeast Providence RI-
Western Kent RI-Eastern Kent RI-Bristol RI-Washington RI-
Newport RI-
Including the cities of Taunton, Brockton, Plymouth, Fall River, 
New Bedford, Mattapoisett, Providence, Coventry, West Greenwich, 
East Greenwich, Warwick, West Warwick, Bristol, Narragansett, 
Westerly, and Newport
1016 AM EST Sun Jan 31 2021

...WINTER STORM WATCH REMAINS IN EFFECT FROM MONDAY MORNING
THROUGH TUESDAY AFTERNOON...

* WHAT...Heavy snow possible. Total snow accumulations of 4 to 8 
  inches possible. Winds could gust as high as 50 mph.

* WHERE...In Massachusetts, Western Plymouth MA, Eastern 
  Plymouth MA, Southern Bristol MA and Southern Plymouth MA 
  Counties. In Rhode Island, Newport RI County.

* WHEN...From Monday morning through Tuesday afternoon.

* IMPACTS...Travel could be very difficult. The hazardous 
  conditions will likely impact the evening commute Monday.

PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...

Monitor the latest forecasts for updates on this situation. 

&&

$$
839 
WWUS41 KBOX 312037
WSWBOX

URGENT - WINTER WEATHER MESSAGE
National Weather Service Boston/Norton MA
337 PM EST Sun Jan 31 2021

CTZ002>004-MAZ002>016-026-RIZ001-011000-
/O.UPG.KBOX.WS.A.0002.210201T1200Z-210202T2100Z/
/O.NEW.KBOX.WS.W.0002.210201T1200Z-210202T1000Z/
Hartford CT-Tolland CT-Windham CT-Western Franklin MA-
Eastern Franklin MA-Northern Worcester MA-Central Middlesex MA-
Western Essex MA-Eastern Essex MA-Western Hampshire MA-
Western Hampden MA-Eastern Hampshire MA-Eastern Hampden MA-
Southern Worcester MA-Western Norfolk MA-Southeast Middlesex MA-
Suffolk MA-Eastern Norfolk MA-Northern Middlesex MA-
Northwest Providence RI-
Including the cities of Hartford, Windsor Locks, Union, Vernon, 
Putnam, Willimantic, Charlemont, Greenfield, Orange, Barre, 
Fitchburg, Framingham, Lowell, Lawrence, Gloucester, 
Chesterfield, Blandford, Amherst, Northampton, Springfield, 
Milford, Worcester, Foxborough, Norwood, Cambridge, Boston, 
Quincy, Ayer, Foster, and Smithfield
337 PM EST Sun Jan 31 2021

...WINTER STORM WARNING IN EFFECT FROM 7 AM MONDAY TO 5 AM EST
TUESDAY...

* WHAT...Heavy snow expected. Total snow accumulations of 7 to 15
  inches. Winds gusting as high as 45 mph. Highest totals will be
  across the Worcester Hills and the east slopes of the
  Berkshires. 

* WHERE...Portions of northern Connecticut, central, eastern, 
  northeastern and western Massachusetts and northern Rhode 
  Island.

* WHEN...From 7 AM Monday to 5 AM EST Tuesday.

* IMPACTS...Travel could be very difficult to impossible. The 
  hazardous conditions could impact the morning or evening 
  commute. Gusty winds could bring down tree branches.

* ADDITIONAL DETAILS...snow will be heavy and wet across Rhode
  Island and Eastern Massachusetts. This may increase the risk for
  power outages, in addition to the gusty northeast winds. 

PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...

If you must travel, keep an extra flashlight, food, and water in
your vehicle in case of an emergency. 

&&

$$

MAZ017>021-RIZ002>007-011000-
/O.UPG.KBOX.WS.A.0002.210201T1200Z-210202T2100Z/
/O.NEW.KBOX.WS.W.0002.210201T1200Z-210202T0600Z/
Northern Bristol MA-Western Plymouth MA-Eastern Plymouth MA-
Southern Bristol MA-Southern Plymouth MA-Southeast Providence RI-
Western Kent RI-Eastern Kent RI-Bristol RI-Washington RI-
Newport RI-
Including the cities of Taunton, Brockton, Plymouth, Fall River, 
New Bedford, Mattapoisett, Providence, Coventry, West Greenwich, 
East Greenwich, Warwick, West Warwick, Bristol, Narragansett, 
Westerly, and Newport
337 PM EST Sun Jan 31 2021

...WINTER STORM WARNING IN EFFECT FROM 7 AM MONDAY TO 1 AM EST
TUESDAY...

* WHAT...Heavy snow expected. Total snow accumulations of 6 to 12
  inches. Winds gusting as high as 50 mph.

* WHERE...Portions of southeastern Massachusetts and northern 
  and southern Rhode Island.

* WHEN...From 7 AM Monday to 1 AM EST Tuesday.

* IMPACTS...Travel could be very difficult to impossible. The 
  hazardous conditions could impact the morning or evening 
  commute. Gusty winds could bring down tree branches.

* ADDITIONAL DETAILS...snow will be heavy and wet across Rhode
  Island and Eastern Massachusetts. This may increase the risk for
  power outages, in addition to the gusty northeast winds. 


PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...

If you must travel, keep an extra flashlight, food, and water in
your vehicle in case of an emergency. 

&&

$$

The office that day

Everything else NWS Boston/Norton, MA issued on the same UTC day.

IssuedProductOfficeCountiesLasted
Jan 29, 10:18 PM ESTSmall Craft AdvisoryBOX41 hr
Jan 30, 3:51 AM ESTGale WatchBOX36 hr

Nearby

Winter Storm Watches in Massachusetts, 2021Winter Storm Watches in Rhode Island, 2021Winter Storm Watches in Connecticut, 2021Every winter storm watch in 2021

Sources

The product and its follow-ups from the Iowa Environmental Mesonet's archive of National Weather Service and Storm Prediction Center text; the sounding from the Mesonet's radiosonde archive; radar from the NEXRAD Level II archive.