A significant, rapidly developing coastal storm moved southeast of Southern New England bringing heavy snow, bitter cold temperatures, coastal flooding, and strong winds to Massachusetts. Snow amounts varied widely, from roughly six inches across the east slopes of the Berkshires to nearly two feet in coastal Essex County.
Every event with a place to put it; 39 filed by county or forecast zone are drawn at its center, in a lighter ring. Tap one for its entry below.
Deaths and injuries are direct and indirect together, as the offices filed them. Damage is property and crops in the dollars of the year, not adjusted for inflation, and only where an office estimated it.
The episode as NWS BOX wrote it up.
A significant, rapidly developing coastal storm moved southeast of Southern New England bringing heavy snow, bitter cold temperatures, coastal flooding, and strong winds to Massachusetts. Snow amounts varied widely, from roughly six inches across the east slopes of the Berkshires to nearly two feet in coastal Essex County.
The local office's own words before the first event, as it sent them, from the Iowa Environmental Mesonet's archive of National Weather Service text.
NWS Boston/Norton, MA wrote its last area forecast discussion before the first event at Jan 1, 9:33 PM EST, 5 hours 27 minutes earlier.
AREA FORECAST DISCUSSION
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE TAUNTON MA
930 PM PM EST WED JAN 1 2014
.SYNOPSIS...
A SIGNIFICANT WINTER STORM WILL AFFECT THE REGION THURSDAY INTO
FRIDAY...BRINGING THE POTENTIAL FOR HEAVY SNOW/STRONG WINDS/COASTAL
FLOODING AND POSSIBLY EVEN NEAR BLIZZARD CONDITIONS FOR A TIME ALONG
THE EASTERN MA COAST. DRY BUT BITTERLY COLD AIR AND DANGEROUSLY
LOW WIND CHILLS WILL FOLLOW THE STORM FRI INTO SAT. TEMPS WILL
THEN MODERATE EARLY NEXT WEEK AS LOW PRESSURE LOOKS TO MOVE CLOSE
TO OR WEST OF NEW ENGLAND. ANOTHER PUSH OF ARCTIC AIR IS POISED TO
MOVE IN AROUND THE MIDDLE OF NEXT WEEK.
&&
.NEAR TERM /UNTIL 6 AM THURSDAY MORNING/...
930 PM UPDATE...
SOME VERY WEAK RADAR RETURNS BEGINNING TO SHOW UP ACROSS WESTERN MA
AND NORTHERN CT THIS EVENING. LOW LEVELS ARE STILL QUITE DRY...SO
NO MORE THAN A FEW FLURRIES ARE OCCURRING.
INCREASING MID LEVEL WARM ADVECTION SHOULD ALLOW FOR AREAS OF LIGHT
SNOW TO GRADUALLY OVERSPREAD THE REGION FROM WEST TO EAST OVERNIGHT.
INITIALLY THE SNOW WILL BE VERY LIGHT...BUT AFTER 8 OR 9Z MODELS
SHOW THAT 850 MB THERMAL FIELDS TIGHTEN ALLOWING FOR SOME BETTER
FRONTOGENESIS. THIS SHOULD ALLOW SNOW INTENSITY TO INCREASE SOME.
MAY SEE AN INCH OR TWO OF SNOW BY DAYBREAK...WITH THE BEST CHANCE
ALONG AND NORTH OF MA TURNPIKE WHERE THE MODELS SHOW BETTER
FRONTOGENESIS.
WE WILL BE EVALUATING THE LATEST 00Z SUITE OF MODEL DATA FOR THE
SIGNIFICANT WINTER STORM THAT WILL AFFECT THE REGION...ESPECIALLY
LATE THU INTO EARLY FRI. THE BIGGEST CONCERN CONTINUES TO BE ALONG
THE EASTERN NEW ENGLAND COAST FOR A PERIOD OF NEAR BLIZZARD
CONDITIONS WITH STRONG WINDS AND BITTERLY COLD TEMPS. MUCH MORE
LATER!
&&
.SHORT TERM /6 AM THURSDAY MORNING THROUGH FRIDAY/...
* COASTAL STORM WITH A VARIETY OF HAZARDS
* WELL BELOW AVG TEMPERATURES FOR FRIDAY
THURSDAY IS TRICKY. THINKING SNOW GROWTH WILL DROP OFF
SIGNIFICANTLY FOR A PORTION OF THE DAY...PARTICULARLY SOUTH OF THE
MASS PIKE ACROSS WESTERN MA...NORTHERN CT AND RI. WHILE IT MIGHT
CONTINUE TO SNOW/FLURRY...ACCUMULATIONS SHOULD NOT BE MUCH. TO
KEEP THINGS SIMPLE AGAIN...WILL JUST CONTINUE TO THE WINTER STORM
WARNING SOUTH OF THE MASS PIKE DESPITE THE WEAKER SNOW. THINKING
IS IT WILL MAKE HEADLINES NEEDLESSLY COMPLEX AND CONFUSING. FOLKS
THAT DO SEE THE LULL IN THE SNOW ACCUMULATION SHOULD REMAIN
PREPARED TO DEAL WITH MORE SIGNIFICANT SNOW ARRIVING LATER IN THE
DAY.
THE BRUNT OF THIS COASTAL STORM IS EXPECTED TO BE THURSDAY NIGHT
INTO FRIDAY. THE MOST LIKELY TIMING WILL BE JUST AFTER THE
THURSDAY EVENING COMMUTE...BUT IT IS LIKELY THE COMMUTE ITSELF
WILL BE IMPACTED BY SIGNIFICANT SNOW AND POOR VISIBILITY.
NORTHEAST WINDS WILL INCREASE DURING THE AFTERNOON...MAKING FOR AN
ADDITIONAL COMPLICATION ACROSS EASTERN MA AND COASTAL RI.
WE THOUGHT A LOT ABOUT ISSUING BLIZZARD WATCHES AND WARNINGS. AT
THIS TIME WE THINK THAT THE FULL CRITERIA FOR A BLIZZARD WILL NOT
BE MET...BUT IT IS VERY CLOSE. AS SUCH WILL UPGRADE THE WINTER
STORM WATCH TO WINTER STORM WARNINGS AND CONTINUE TO MENTION
NEAR-BLIZZARD CONDITIONS AT TIMES. THE GREATEST THREAT WILL BE
ALONG THE IMMEDIATE EAST COAST OF MA...AS WELL AS THE COASTAL
PLAIN OF SOUTHEAST MA. LATER SHIFTS CAN REEVALUATE AS WE GET
CLOSER TO THIS EVENT.
SNOW TAPERS OFF FROM NORTHWEST TO SOUTHEAST FRIDAY AS THE STORM
PULLS AWAY FROM SOUTHERN NEW ENGLAND.
&&
.LONG TERM /FRIDAY NIGHT THROUGH WEDNESDAY/...
HIGHLIGHTS...
* BELOW ZERO TEMPERATURES AND EXTREMELY LOW WIND CHILLS FOR FRIDAY
NIGHT
* TEMPERATURES REMAIN COLD SATURDAY...THEN MODERATES ON SUN AND MON
* ANOTHER SYSTEM LOOKS TO IMPACT THE REGION LATE SUN INTO MON
* MORE ARCTIC AIR APPEARS TO RETURN BY THE MIDDLE OF NEXT WEEK
CONFIDENCE LEVEL...
MODERATE TO HIGH CONFIDENCE IN THE OVERALL FORECAST FOR LARGE
HIGH PRES AND VERY COLD TEMPS FRI NIGHT INTO THE WEEKEND. BEYOND
SAT NIGHT...UPPER LEVEL PATTERN UNDERGOES MAJOR CHANGES ACROSS THE
CENTRAL U.S. WHICH TRANSLATES INTO TIMING AND TRACK ISSUES AS
SURFACE LOW PRES DEVELOPS ACROSS THE OHIO VALLEY SUN NIGHT. BIG
DIFFERENCES BETWEEN THE 12Z GFS VS. THE 00Z/12Z ECMWF AND 12Z GGEM
ON TRACK OF THIS DEVELOPING LOW FOR LATE SUN NIGHT/MON. LOW
CONFIDENCE DURING THIS TIMEFRAME. DEPENDING UPON THIS TIMING...
ANOTHER SHOT OF ARCTIC AIR MAY WORK INTO THE REGION BY THE MIDDLE
OF NEXT WEEK.
DETAILS...
FRIDAY NIGHT AND SATURDAY...
STORM SYSTEM QUICKLY MOVES TO THE CENTRAL ATLC FRI NIGHT WITH
COLDEST AIR OF THE SEASON /SO FAR/ MOVING IN DIRECT FROM THE
ARCTIC CIRCLE. H85 TEMPS DROP TO -17C TO -21C EARLY FRI NIGHT WITH
N-NW WINDS AT 10-15 MPH...A BIT HIGHER EARLY ALONG THE E COAST.
EXPECT WIND CHILL VALUES TO DROP TO AROUND -20...SO ADVISORIES
WILL LIKELY BE NEEDED. AS THE CENTER OF LARGE HIGH PRES MOVES IN
DURING THE NIGHT...WINDS WILL DIMINISH BUT THAT ONLY BRINGS
RADIATIONAL COOLING WITH MOSTLY CLEAR SKIES. THIS WILL ALLOW TEMPS
TO PLUMMET OVERNIGHT. EXPECT LOWS TO DROP AT OR BELOW ZERO AT MOST
LOCATIONS EXCEPT ALONG THE IMMEDIATE S COAST...CAPE COD AND THE
ISLANDS. THIS INCLUDES THE BOSTON...PROVIDENCE AND HARTFORD METRO
AREAS.
ON SATURDAY...EXPECT THE RIDGE AT THE SURFACE AND ALOFT WILL PUSH
E...ALLOWING WARM AIR ADVECTION TO PUSH IN...MAINLY ALOFT TO START.
MID AND HIGH CLOUDS WILL INCREASE LATE SAT/SAT NIGHT. DAYTIME HIGHS
WILL REACH THE UPPER TEENS TO MID 20S INLAND RANGING TO THE LOWER-
MID 30S ON OUTER CAPE COD AND THE ISLANDS.
SUNDAY INTO MONDAY...
AS THE HIGH MOVES OFF THE EASTERN SEABOARD...BIG CHANGES TAKING
PLACE ACROSS THE CENTRAL U.S. LONG RANGE MODEL SUITE ALL DEVELOP
H5 CUTOFF LOW PRES OVER CENTRAL CANADA WHICH DIGS A LONG WAVE
TROUGH. BIG QUESTION AT THIS POINT WILL BE HOW FAR S THIS TROUGH
WILL DIG. APPEARS THAT THE 00Z/12Z ECMWF AND 12Z CANADIAN GGEM
WERE IN PRETTY GOOD AGREEMENT THIS FAR OUT WITH A MUCH DEEPER
TROUGH WHILE THE 12Z GFS IS FLATTER. ALL MODELS ALSO EJECT SHORT
WAVE IN THIS DEEPENING TROUGH ACROSS THE OHIO VALLEY...WHICH
RESPONDS IN DEVELOPING LOW PRES THAT WILL TRACK NE.
THIS BRINGS BIG PROBLEMS WITH TRACK AND PTYPE AS PRECIP MOVES IN THE
REGION SUN NIGHT INTO MON. FOR NOW...HAVE LEANED TOWARD THE
ECMWF/GGEM SOLUTION IN KEEPING A STRONGER SURFACE LOW W OF NEW
ENGLAND AND BRINGING IN MUCH MILDER AIR. HOWEVER...WILL BE TOUGH TO
SCOUR THE COLDER AIR OUT OF THE INTERIOR SUN NIGHT...SO EXPECT LARGE
TEMP RANGES FROM THE S COAST TO S NH/N MA. EXPECT ISSUES WITH MIXED
PRECIP...POSSIBLY A PERIOD OF FREEZING RAIN...WELL INLAND OVERNIGHT
SUN. KEPT LIKELY POPS GOING THROUGH MON AS PRECIP SHOULD CHANGE OVER
TO ALL RAIN EVEN ACROSS S NH. CURRENT TIMING SUGGESTS THAT PRECIP
SHOULD START TAPERING OFF OVER MID AND LOWER CT VALLEY MON
AFTERNOON.
MONDAY NIGHT THROUGH WEDNESDAY...
COLD FRONT ASSOCIATED WITH THE LOW WILL PUSH OFFSHORE MON
EVENING...SO EXPECT PRECIP TO TAPER OFF EXCEPT ALONG THE E COAST.
YET ANOTHER ARCTIC AIRMASS WILL WORK IN OUT OF CENTRAL CANADA AND
THE UPPER PLAINS STATES LATER MON NIGHT. EXPECT TEMPS TO DROP OFF
AGAIN WITH READINGS IN THE SINGLE DIGITS WELL INLAND TO LOWER-MID
20S ALONG THE IMMEDIATE COAST.
LARGE HIGH PRES WILL BUILD ACROSS FOR TUE AND WED...BRINGING DRY BUT
COLD CONDITIONS. CARRIED SLIGHT CHANCE TO CHANCE POPS FOR OFFSHORE
SNOW SHOWERS THAT MAY OCCASIONALLY SCRAPE THE OUTER CAPE AND
NANTUCKET.
&&
.AVIATION /02Z THURSDAY THROUGH MONDAY/...
FORECASTER CONFIDENCE LEVELS...
LOW...LESS THAN 30 PERCENT.
MODERATE...30 TO 60 PERCENT.
HIGH...GREATER THAN 60 PERCENT.
SHORT TERM /TODAY THROUGH FRIDAY/...
THROUGH THE OVERNIGHT...HIGH CONFIDENCE. CONDITIONS REMAINING VFR
THROUGH AROUND MIDNIGHT. EXPECT MVFR-IFR CIGS/VSBYS TO MOVE IN
FROM WEST TO EAST BETWEEN 06Z AND 12Z.
THURSDAY AND THURSDAY NIGHT...MODERATE CONFIDENCE DUE TO TIMING
ISSUE WITH HEAVIER SNOW BANDS. IFR CIGS/VSBYS IN SNOW. LOCAL LIFR
CONDITIONS LIKELY. EAST TO NORTHEAST WINDS WITH GUSTS 35 TO 45 KT
ALONG THE COAST...HIGHEST ACROSS CAPE COD AND THE ISLANDS.
SIGNIFICANT SNOW ACCUMULATIONS LIKELY...ESPECIALLY THURSDAY NIGHT.
FRIDAY...HIGH CONFIDENCE IN TRENDS...MODERATE CONFIDENCE IN
TIMING. IFR CONDITIONS IMPROVE TO VFR FROM NORTHWEST TO SOUTHEAST
THROUGH THE DAY.
KBOS TAF...HIGH CONFIDENCE IN TAF. LIGHT SNOW OVERSPREADS THE
REGION BETWEEN 9Z AND 12Z THURSDAY.
KBDL TAF...HIGH CONFIDENCE IN TAF. LIGHT SNOW OVERSPREADS THE
REGION BETWEEN 6Z AND 9Z THURSDAY.
OUTLOOK...FRIDAY NIGHT THROUGH MONDAY...MODERATE CONFIDENCE.
FRIDAY NIGHT...EXPECT MAINLY VFR...THOUGH MAY SEE MVFR-IFR
CIGS/VSBYS IN THE EVENING ACROSS CAPE COD AND NANTUCKET. WIND GUSTS
UP TO 25-30 KT EARLY ALONG THE E COAST.
SATURDAY...VFR.
SUNDAY...VFR THROUGH MIDDAY...THEN MAY SEE MVFR CIGS/VSBYS DEVELOP
OVER THE S COAST AND PUSH NE DURING THE AFTERNOON. MVFR-IFR
CONDITIONS IN RAIN...WITH MIXED PRECIP WELL INLAND SUNDAY NIGHT.
MONDAY...MVFR TO LOCALLY IFR CONDITIONS IN RAIN OR MIXED PRECIP MON
MORNING...CHANGING OVER TO ALL RAIN BY MIDDAY WELL INLAND. PRECIP
CHANGES BACK TO SNOW DURING THE AFTERNOON OVER CENTRAL AND WESTERN
AREAS.
&&
.MARINE...
FORECASTER CONFIDENCE LEVELS...
LOW...LESS THAN 30 PERCENT.
MODERATE...30 TO 60 PERCENT.
HIGH...GREATER THAN 60 PERCENT.
NEAR TERM /TODAY THROUGH FRIDAY/...HIGH CONFIDENCE.
TONIGHT...RELATIVELY WEAK PRESSURE GRADIENT SHOULD KEEP WINDS AND
SEAS BELOW SMALL CRAFT ADVISORY THRESHOLDS. LIGHT SNOW WILL BREAK
OUT AT LEAST ACROSS A PORTION OF OUR WATERS AFTER MIDNIGHT
REDUCING VISIBILITIES.
THURSDAY...E-NE WINDS INCREASE DURING THE DAY...WITH GUSTS TO
35-45 KT DEVELOPING IN THE EVENING. SEAS BUILDING UP TO 10-18 FT
HIGHEST ACROSS THE OUTER WATERS THURSDAY NIGHT. GALE WARNINGS
ISSUED FOR ALL SOUTHERN NEW ENGLAND COASTAL WATERS. FREEZING SPRAY
LIKELY EAST OF MASSACHUSETTS.
FRIDAY...NE WINDS SHIFT TO N DURING THE DAY...WITH GUSTS OF
30-45 KT. LOW PROBABILITY OF 45+ KTS ACROSS THE SE COASTAL
WATERS. SEAS WILL BE 15 TO 20 FEET ACROSS THE EASTERN WATERS AND
10 TO 15 FEET ON THE SOUTHERN WATERS. AREAS OF FREEZING SPRAY
LIKELY...PARTICULARLY ACROSS THE NEARSHORE WATERS.
OUTLOOK...FRIDAY NIGHT THROUGH MONDAY...MODERATE CONFIDENCE.
FRIDAY NIGHT...WINDS SHIFT TO NW...WITH LEFTOVER GUSTS TO 35 KT
EARLY ON THE EASTERN OUTER WATERS. SEAS AROUND 9 TO 15 FT EARLY...
WHICH WILL SLOWLY SUBSIDE. LIGHT FREEZING SPRAY LIKELY.
SATURDAY...W WINDS WILL BRIEFLY DIMINISH BUT SEAS WILL REMAIN AOA 5
FT ON THE OUTER WATERS. WINDS THEN BACK TO SW AND INCREASE...GUSTING
TO 25 KT ON THE SOUTHERN OUTER WATERS.
SUNDAY AND MONDAY...EXPECT S WINDS GUSTING TO 25-30 KT AND SEAS
REMAINING ABOVE 5 FT SUNDAY...SHIFTING TO W DURING MONDAY.
&&
.TIDES/COASTAL FLOODING...
THE COMBINATION OF HIGH ASTRONOMICAL TIDES AND THE RELATIVELY
LONG DURATION AND FETCH OF NORTHEAST WINDS WILL SET THE STAGE FOR
MINOR TO MODERATE COASTAL FLOODING FOR MULTIPLE HIGH TIDE CYCLES.
WE DECIDED TO ADDRESS THE HEADLINES WITH EACH SUCCESSIVE TIDE. A
COASTAL FLOOD ADVISORY HAS BEEN ISSUED FOR ONLY THE MIDDAY
THURSDAY HIGH TIDE. A COASTAL FLOOD WATCH REMAINS FOR THE
POSSIBILITY OF MODERATE COASTAL FLOODING DURING EITHER OF THE
THURSDAY NIGHT OR MIDDAY FRIDAY HIGH TIDES.
01/12Z GUIDANCE HAS COME INTO BETTER AGREEMENT WITH THE TRACK OF
A COASTAL LOW PRESSURE THURSDAY INTO FRIDAY. CURRENT EXPECTATIONS
ARE FOR WINDS TO SHIFT FROM NORTHEAST TO NORTH BEFORE THE FRIDAY
MORNING HIGH TIDE. WHILE THIS WILL REDUCE THE RISK OF MAJOR
COASTAL FLOODING FOR MOST OF THE EAST MASSACHUSETTS COASTLINE...
THERE IS STILL A RISK FOR MODERATE TO MAJOR COASTAL FLOODING
PARTICULARLY SOUTH OF BOSTON INTO SANDWICH.
USING BOSTON AS AN INDEX...NOTE THAT ASTRONOMICAL HIGH TIDES ARE
VERY HIGH WITH 12.2 FEET MEAN LOWER LOW WATER AT BOSTON THURSDAY
AND FRI...AT 11:22 AM AND 12:15 PM RESPECTIVELY. THERE ALSO IS A
10.9 FOOT HIGH TIDE AT BOSTON THURSDAY NIGHT AROUND MIDNIGHT.
AS USUAL IN THESE SITUATIONS...HAVE GONE ABOVE BOTH THE ETSS AND
ESTOFS GUIDANCE BASED ON SYNOPTIC PATTERN RECOGNITION. BELIEVE
ENOUGH GRADIENT AND FETCH TO SUPPORT A STORM SURGE OF 0.5 TO
0.75 FT MIDDAY THURSDAY...INCREASING TO 1.0 TO 2.0 FT FOR BOTH
THE THURSDAY NIGHT AND FRIDAY MIDDAY TIDES...HIGHEST S OF BOSTON.
THE SURGE MAY ACTUALLY MAX OUT 2 TO 3 FT S OF BOSTON FRIDAY
MORNING...BUT DURING THE LOW TIDE CYCLE. SHOULD WINDS NOT SHIFT
NORTH AS QUICKLY AS WE EXPECT FRIDAY MORNING...MORE SIGNIFICANT
COASTAL FLOODING WOULD RESULT.
SEAS JUST OFFSHORE ARE EXPECTED TO REACH ABOUT 15 FT DURING THE
THURSDAY NIGHT HIGH TIDE AND 15 TO 20 FT AT THE TIME OF THE MIDDAY
FRIDAY HIGH TIDE. THE FRIDAY MIDDAY SEAS WILL CONTAIN LONGER
PERIOD SWELLS THAT BRING MORE ENERGY TO THE SHORE.
IN SUMMARY...THIS IS ALL LIKELY TO RESULT IN MINOR COASTAL
FLOODING FOR THE MIDDAY THURSDAY HIGH TIDE...AND MINOR TO MODERATE
COASTAL FLOODING FOR THE THURSDAY NIGHT HIGH TIDE. AT THIS TIME
FOR THE MIDDAY FRIDAY HIGH TIDE...WE ARE PROJECTING MINOR TO
ISOLATED MODERATE COASTAL FLOODING NORTH OF BOSTON AND AREAS OF
MODERATE COASTAL FLOODING SOUTH OF BOSTON. THERE REMAINS A
RISK...ALBEIT LOOKING LOWER THAN 24 HOURS AGO...OF POCKETS OF
MODERATE TO MAJOR COASTAL FLOODING FROM HULL THROUGH SANDWICH AND
NANTUCKET...ESPECIALLY IF THIS STORM SHOULD END UP BEING JUST A
TAD SLOWER PULLING AWAY FROM OUR COASTLINE.
ALL VULNERABLE MA EAST-FACING SHORELINES WILL HAVE A RISK OF SOME
BEACH EROSION GIVEN THE HIGH WATER LEVELS AND WAVE ACTION OVER
SUCCESSIVE TIDES. THE AREAS OF COASTLINE PRONE TO MORE SIGNIFICANT
BEACH EROSION INCLUDE THE PLYMOUTH COUNTY COAST...THE NORTH SIDE
OF THE CAPE INCLUDING SANDWICH...THE OUTER CAPE OCEANSIDE AND THE
EAST SIDE OF NANTUCKET.
NOT EXPECTING ANY COASTAL FLOODING PROBLEMS ALONG THE SOUTH COAST
GIVEN WIND DIRECTION AND EXPECTED TRACK OF THIS STORM.
&&
.CLIMATE...
RECORD MINIMUM HIGH TEMPERATURES FOR JANUARY 3RD...
BOSTON 7 /1904/
HARTFORD 7 /1981/
PROVIDENCE 10 /1918/
WORCESTER 4 /1904/
RECORD LOW TEMPERATURES FOR JANUARY 4TH...
BOSTON -4 /1981/
HARTFORD -7 /1981/
PROVIDENCE -9 /1981/
WORCESTER -8 /1981/
&&
.BOX WATCHES/WARNINGS/ADVISORIES...
CT...WINTER STORM WARNING FROM 4 AM THURSDAY TO 10 AM EST FRIDAY
FOR CTZ002>004.
MA...WINTER STORM WARNING FROM 4 AM THURSDAY TO 10 AM EST FRIDAY
FOR MAZ002>024-026.
COASTAL FLOOD WATCH FROM THURSDAY AFTERNOON THROUGH FRIDAY
AFTERNOON FOR MAZ007-015-016-019-022-024.
COASTAL FLOOD ADVISORY FROM 10 AM TO 4 PM EST THURSDAY FOR
MAZ007-015-016-019-022-024.
NH...WINTER STORM WARNING FROM 4 AM THURSDAY TO 10 AM EST FRIDAY
FOR NHZ011-012-015.
RI...WINTER STORM WARNING FROM 4 AM THURSDAY TO 10 AM EST FRIDAY
FOR RIZ001>008.
MARINE...GALE WARNING FROM 1 PM THURSDAY TO 7 PM EST FRIDAY FOR
ANZ231>235-237-250-251-254>256.
GALE WARNING FROM 7 PM THURSDAY TO 1 PM EST FRIDAY FOR ANZ230-
236.
&&
SYNOPSIS...BELK/EVT
NEAR TERM...FRANK
SHORT TERM...BELK
LONG TERM...EVT
AVIATION...BELK/EVT
MARINE...BELK/EVT
TIDES/COASTAL FLOODING...STAFF
CLIMATE...STAFFHAZARDOUS WEATHER OUTLOOK NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE TAUNTON MA 512 PM EST WED JAN 1 2014 CTZ002>004-MAZ002>006-008>014-017-018-020-021-023-026-NHZ011-012-015- RIZ001>008-022215- HARTFORD CT-TOLLAND CT-WINDHAM CT-WESTERN FRANKLIN MA- EASTERN FRANKLIN MA-NORTHERN WORCESTER MA-CENTRAL MIDDLESEX MA- WESTERN ESSEX MA-WESTERN HAMPSHIRE MA-WESTERN HAMPDEN MA- EASTERN HAMPSHIRE MA-EASTERN HAMPDEN MA-SOUTHERN WORCESTER MA- WESTERN NORFOLK MA-SOUTHEAST MIDDLESEX MA-NORTHERN BRISTOL MA- WESTERN PLYMOUTH MA-SOUTHERN BRISTOL MA-SOUTHERN PLYMOUTH MA- DUKES MA-NORTHERN MIDDLESEX MA-CHESHIRE NH-EASTERN HILLSBOROUGH NH- WESTERN AND CENTRAL HILLSBOROUGH NH-NORTHWEST PROVIDENCE RI- SOUTHEAST PROVIDENCE RI-WESTERN KENT RI-EASTERN KENT RI-BRISTOL RI- WASHINGTON RI-NEWPORT RI-BLOCK ISLAND RI- 512 PM EST WED JAN 1 2014 ...WINTER STORM WARNING IN EFFECT FROM 4 AM THURSDAY TO 10 AM EST FRIDAY... THIS HAZARDOUS WEATHER OUTLOOK IS FOR NORTHERN CONNECTICUT...MOST OF INTERIOR MASSACHUSETTS...SOUTHERN NEW HAMPSHIRE AND RHODE ISLAND. .DAY ONE...TONIGHT. PLEASE LISTEN TO NOAA WEATHER RADIO OR GO TO WEATHER.GOV ON THE INTERNET FOR MORE INFORMATION ABOUT THE FOLLOWING HAZARDS. WINTER STORM WARNING. .DAYS TWO THROUGH SEVEN...THURSDAY THROUGH TUESDAY. PLEASE LISTEN TO NOAA WEATHER RADIO OR GO TO WEATHER.GOV ON THE INTERNET FOR MORE INFORMATION ABOUT THE FOLLOWING HAZARDS. WINTER STORM WARNING. THERE IS THE POTENTIAL FOR WIND CHILLS OF 15 TO 25 BELOW LATE THURSDAY NIGHT INTO EARLY SATURDAY...WHICH MAY RESULT IN SOME WIND CHILL ADVISORIES. THE WIND CHILLS LOOK COLDEST FRIDAY NIGHT INTO EARLY SATURDAY MORNING. .SPOTTER INFORMATION STATEMENT... WEATHER SPOTTERS ARE ENCOURAGED TO REPORT SIGNIFICANT WEATHER CONDITIONS ACCORDING TO STANDARD OPERATING PROCEDURES. MAZ007-015-016-019-022-024-022215- EASTERN ESSEX MA-SUFFOLK MA-EASTERN NORFOLK MA-EASTERN PLYMOUTH MA- BARNSTABLE MA-NANTUCKET MA- 512 PM EST WED JAN 1 2014 ...WINTER STORM WARNING IN EFFECT FROM 4 AM THURSDAY TO 10 AM EST FRIDAY... ...COASTAL FLOOD ADVISORY IN EFFECT FROM 10 AM TO 4 PM EST THURSDAY... ...COASTAL FLOOD WATCH IN EFFECT FROM THURSDAY AFTERNOON THROUGH FRIDAY AFTERNOON... THIS HAZARDOUS WEATHER OUTLOOK IS FOR COASTAL EASTERN AND SOUTHEASTERN MASSACHUSETTS. .DAY ONE...TONIGHT. PLEASE LISTEN TO NOAA WEATHER RADIO OR GO TO WEATHER.GOV ON THE INTERNET FOR MORE INFORMATION ABOUT THE FOLLOWING HAZARDS. WINTER STORM WARNING. .DAYS TWO THROUGH SEVEN...THURSDAY THROUGH TUESDAY. PLEASE LISTEN TO NOAA WEATHER RADIO OR GO TO WEATHER.GOV ON THE INTERNET FOR MORE INFORMATION ABOUT THE FOLLOWING HAZARDS. WINTER STORM WARNING. COASTAL FLOOD ADVISORY. COASTAL FLOOD WATCH. THERE IS THE POTENTIAL FOR WIND CHILLS OF 15 TO 25 BELOW LATE THURSDAY NIGHT INTO EARLY SATURDAY...WHICH MAY RESULT IN SOME WIND CHILL ADVISORIES. THE WIND CHILLS LOOK COLDEST FRIDAY NIGHT INTO EARLY SATURDAY MORNING. .SPOTTER INFORMATION STATEMENT... WEATHER SPOTTERS ARE ENCOURAGED TO REPORT SIGNIFICANT WEATHER CONDITIONS ACCORDING TO STANDARD OPERATING PROCEDURES. ANZ231>235-237-250-251-254>256-022215- CAPE COD BAY-NANTUCKET SOUND-VINEYARD SOUND-BUZZARDS BAY- RHODE ISLAND SOUND-BLOCK ISLAND SOUND- COASTAL WATERS EAST OF IPSWICH BAY AND THE STELLWAGEN BANK NATIONAL MARINE SANCTUARY-MASSACHUSETTS BAY AND IPSWICH BAY- COASTAL WATERS FROM PROVINCETOWN MA TO CHATHAM MA TO NANTUCKET MA OUT 20 NM- COASTAL WATERS EXTENDING OUT TO 25 NM SOUTH OF MARTHAS VINEYARD AND NANTUCKET- COASTAL WATERS FROM MONTAUK NY TO MARTHAS VINEYARD EXTENDING OUT TO 20 NM SOUTH OF BLOCK ISLAND- 512 PM EST WED JAN 1 2014 ...GALE WARNING IN EFFECT FROM 1 PM THURSDAY TO 7 PM EST FRIDAY... THIS HAZARDOUS WEATHER OUTLOOK IS FOR MASSACHUSETTS AND RHODE ISLAND COASTAL WATERS...EXCEPT FOR BOSTON HARBOR AND NARRAGANSETT BAY. .DAY ONE...TONIGHT. NO HAZARDOUS WEATHER IS EXPECTED AT THIS TIME. .DAYS TWO THROUGH SEVEN...THURSDAY THROUGH TUESDAY. PLEASE LISTEN TO NOAA WEATHER RADIO OR GO TO WEATHER.GOV ON THE INTERNET FOR MORE INFORMATION ABOUT THE FOLLOWING HAZARDS. GALE WARNING. AREAS OF FREEZING SPRAY ARE LIKELY FROM THURSDAY INTO FRIDAY. THE MAIN AREAS OF RISK WILL BE THE WATERS EAST OF MASSACHUSETTS THURSDAY. ALL NEARSHORE WATERS WILL BE AT RISK FOR FREEZING SPRAY THURSDAY NIGHT INTO FRIDAY...WITH SOME MODERATE FREEZING SPRAY POSSIBLE. .SPOTTER INFORMATION STATEMENT... WEATHER SPOTTERS ARE ENCOURAGED TO REPORT SIGNIFICANT WEATHER CONDITIONS ACCORDING TO STANDARD OPERATING PROCEDURES. ANZ230-236-022215- BOSTON HARBOR-NARRAGANSETT BAY- 512 PM EST WED JAN 1 2014 ...GALE WARNING IN EFFECT FROM 7 PM THURSDAY TO 1 PM EST FRIDAY... THIS HAZARDOUS WEATHER OUTLOOK IS FOR BOSTON HARBOR AND NARRAGANSETT BAY. .DAY ONE...TONIGHT. NO HAZARDOUS WEATHER IS EXPECTED AT THIS TIME. .DAYS TWO THROUGH SEVEN...THURSDAY THROUGH TUESDAY. PLEASE LISTEN TO NOAA WEATHER RADIO OR GO TO WEATHER.GOV ON THE INTERNET FOR MORE INFORMATION ABOUT THE FOLLOWING HAZARDS. GALE WARNING. .SPOTTER INFORMATION STATEMENT... WEATHER SPOTTERS ARE ENCOURAGED TO REPORT SIGNIFICANT WEATHER CONDITIONS ACCORDING TO STANDARD OPERATING PROCEDURES. FOR THE LATEST UPDATES...PLEASE VISIT OUR WEBPAGE AT WWW.WEATHER.GOV/BOSTON YOU CAN FOLLOW US ON FACEBOOK AT WWW.FACEBOOK.COM/US.NATIONALWEATHERSERVICE.BOSTON.GOV YOU CAN FOLLOW US ON TWITTER AT @NWSBOSTON
The national radar mosaic for the moment the first event began.
24 heavy snow, 12 coastal flood, 3 blizzard. Local standard time, as filed.
Six inches of snow fell across western Hampden County.
Five to nine inches of snow fell across eastern Hampden County.
Six to fourteen inches of snow fell across western Middlesex County.
Five to eleven inches of snow fell across western Franklin County.
Five to eleven inches of snow fell across eastern Franklin County.
Five to eight inches of snow fell across northern Worcester County.
Nine to twenty-four inches of snow fell across western Essex County, with the most falling in areas closer to the coast.
Twelve to twenty-one inches of snow fell across eastern Essex County.
Five to twelve inches of snow fell across southern Worcester County.
Six to sixteen inches of snow fell across southeastern Middlesex County.
Seven to ten inches of snow fell across northwestern Middlesex County.
Seven to fourteen inches of snow fell across western Norfolk County.
Nine to eighteen inches of snow fell across the Boston metro area.
Eight to ten inches of snow fell across northern Bristol County.
Seven to eleven inches of snow fell across southern Bristol County.
Five to eight inches of snow fell across western Hampshire County.
Eleven to fifteen inches of snow fell across eastern Norfolk County.
Nine to sixteen inches of snow fell across western Plymouth County.
Ten to seventeen inches of snow fell across eastern Plymouth County.
Seven to sixteen inches of snow fell across Cape Cod.
Five to seven inches of snow fell across eastern Hampshire County.
Water was flowing around and under buildings along a portion of Atlantic Avenue in Salisbury.
Coastal flooding occurred on Washington Street between Blue Fish Reservoir and Gurnet Road in Duxbury. King Caesar Road was also flooded and was closed. In Scituate, Cole Parkway was closed due to coastal flooding. Oceanside and Lighthouse Roads had minor splashover but were passable. Coastal flooding occurred on Rockland Street and Kilby Street in Hingham with backyards flooding up to the foundations of houses.
Morrissey Boulevard in Dorchester was closed because of coastal flooding. In Revere, Mills Avenue was flooded at the intersection with River Avenue.
Quincy Shore Drive was closed from Furnace Brook Parkway to Fenno Street in Quincy due to coastal flooding. In Cohasset, Jerusalem Road was closed due to flooding and minor flooding was reported on Bow Road.
Nine to eleven inches of snow fell across southern Plymouth County.
The Automated Weather Observing System in Marshfield (KGHG) recorded frequent wind gusts up to 43 mph. This combined with heavy snow and resulted in near zero visibilities. The combination of winds and heavy snow downed wires on Ocean Street in Marshfield.
Eight to ten inches of snow fell across Martha's Vineyard.
Ten inches of snow fell across Nantucket.
Portions of several shore roads were closed due to coastal flooding around the time of high tide. This included Gunrock Avenue and Atlantic Avenue in Hull, Central Avenue in Scituate, and Warren Avenue (Route 3A) in Plymouth.
Foster and Spring Hill Roads were impassable due to coastal flooding.
The Automated Weather Observation Station at Provincetown Airport (KPVC) recorded sustained winds up to 35 mph and frequent wind gusts up to 48 mph. These winds combined with heavy snow, reducing visibilities below one quarter mile. Similar conditions were reported at Chatham Municipal Airport (KCQX).
The Automated Surface Observing Station at Nantucket Memorial Airport (KACK) recorded sustained wind speeds from 26 to 41 mph and frequent gusts up to 53 mph. This combined with heavy snow reduced visibilities below a quarter mile.
Moderate coastal flooding affected Plymouth County during the morning high tide. Many shore roads were closed and impassable due to water and debris. In Scituate, this included Seventh Avenue, Marshfield Avenue, River Street, Border Street, Surfside Road, Oceanside Road, and Turner Road. In Hull, this included Atlantic Avenue, and the Hull Shore Drive extension. Pemberton Point was inaccessible. On Nantasket Avenue, one car was stranded and ocean water flooded at least one basement. In Plymouth, Route 3A in the Long Beach area was closed, as was Taylor Avenue in the area of Hilltop Avenue. A lifeguard shack was damaged by wave action. In Marshfield, coastal flooding closed the Esplanade area, Ocean Street from Samoset Avenue to Reed Street, Bay Avenue, Canal Street, Plymouth Avenue at West Brook Street, and Old Ferry Street. The Bay Avenue sea wall opening lost its batter boards in the Avon Street area, which resulted in flooding. In Duxbury, Gurney Road was flooded and impassable.
Morrissey Boulevard and Neponset Circle in Boston were flooded and temporarily closed.
Moderate coastal flooding impacted eastern Norfolk County. In Cohasset, Atlantic Avenue was closed as was Margin Street and Jerusalem Road at Bow Street. In Quincy, the storm surge backed into the Neponset River, which produced considerable flooding on Hancock Street. One car was stranded.
Moderate coastal flooding impacted eastern Essex County. In Swampscott, Route 129 (Atlantic Avenue) was closed in the area of Preston Beach. The Marblehead Causeway and Devereaux Beach area in Marblehead was closed due to flooding. In Ipswich, Jeffrey Neck Road, Island Park Road, Water Street, Eagle Hill Road, Argilla Road, and Mulholland Drive were flooded. In Lynn, a portion of Lynn Shore Drive was flooded near the rotary. Linden Road, Summer Street, and Route 107 at Western Avenue were flooded. In Salem, Bridge Street and Commercial Street were flooded, as was Route 133 in Gloucester from Western Avenue to Bond Street. In Salisbury, Ocean Front Road, Beach Road, Ferry Road, and Route 1A by Old County Road were closed due to flooding. In Rockport, the end of the breakwater collapsed, which took down a navigation aid.
Portions of several roads along Nantucket Harbor including Easy Street, Broad Street, and Washington Street were flooded and impassable.
Moderate coastal flooding impacted portions of Cape Cod. In Sandwich, portions of several roads were flooded and impassable including Foster Road, Spring Hill Road, Dewey Avenue, River Street, and part of Route 6A near the Riverview School. Town Neck Beach and the boardwalk were also flooded. In Wellfleet, Summit Avenue and Old Wharf Road were impassable.
After NWS Directive 10-1605, the rules offices file Storm Data by.
Every storm in Massachusetts in 2014Every state in 2014This day in weather historyWarnings in Massachusetts, January 2014
NOAA National Centers for Environmental Information, Storm Events Database, compiled from the National Weather Service’s monthly Storm Data. Complete through 2026-06; NCEI adds each month about 75 days after it ends and revises past years a few times a year. Rebuilt 2026-09-24. Each event’s entry at NCEI: 495069, 495071, 495064, 495061, 495062, 495063, 495066, 495067, 495072, 495074, 495086, 495073, 495075, 497306, 495080, 495068, 495076, 495078, 495079, 495082, 495070, 497313, 497316, 497318, 497319, 495081, 497308, 495084, 495085, 497371, 497372, 497311, 497307, 497397, 497398, 497400, 497402, 497411, 497413.