Low pressure moved north from the Florida coast and deepened, passing southeast of Nantucket on Thursday January 4. The storm reached its lowest pressure and strongest pressure gradient as it passed Southern New England.
Every event with a place to put it; 8 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.
Low pressure moved north from the Florida coast and deepened, passing southeast of Nantucket on Thursday January 4. The storm reached its lowest pressure and strongest pressure gradient as it passed Southern New England. This brought heavy snow and damaging winds to Rhode Island, and caused blizzard conditions at Block Island and near-blizzard conditions at other locations in the state. The storm moved off through the Maritimes on January 5.
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 4, 4:39 AM EST, 21 minutes earlier.
Area Forecast Discussion
National Weather Service Taunton MA
439 AM EST Thu Jan 4 2018
.SYNOPSIS...
A significant winter storm will bring heavy snow, strong to
damaging winds and coastal flooding today and tonight. Another
blast of arctic air will follow for Friday and the weekend.
Another storm may affect us early next week, followed by another
surge of Arctic air.
&&
.NEAR TERM /UNTIL 6 PM THIS EVENING/...
430 AM Issuance.
Highlights...
* Moderate to heavy snow, especially E MA and N RI
* Blizzard conditions along the E/SE MA and RI coastlines
* Strong to damaging winds, downed trees, limbs, powerlines
* Coastal flooding issues for the E MA coastline
Summary...
Very anomolous and potent winter storm system currently
developing as it moves northward towards New England bringing
multiple hazards: moderate to heavy snow, low visibility,
strong to damaging winds, coastal flooding, and hazardous seas.
Anticipate travel and economic impacts today and tonight with
accumulating snow and white-out conditions. Expect downed trees and
powerlines resulting in scattered to widespread outages, esp with
the winds. Coastal flooding is expected during todays mid-day high
tide with wave action and beach erosion. Damage to docks and marinas
especially with the presence of ice.
Meso-scale discussion...
Our storm system is really ramping up early this morning as water
vapor imagery show negatively tiled upper level trough and digging
shortwave into the system. GOES-16 Satellite also show classic comma
stage moving up into the Virgina waters. This system is currently
undergoing cyclogenesis as it continues to deepen and moves the wave
towards New England. In fact, over the past 6 hours this system has
dropped around 20 mb per RAP13 data from WPC. There is a good amount
of lightning near the center of the storm where the dry slot is
located. Warm air/convection to the north of it with good snow bands
to the northwest resulting in some thundersnow for the Virgina
coast.
Coastal Front is beginning to set-up across the eastern MA coastline
with GHG warming to 36F and PYM near 32F. The Cape is currently above
32F so they will start out as rain once the precip moves onshore.
Will have to continue to watch and see how far westward this front
pushes inland but current thinking is GHG to east of EWB.
Otherwise weak lift across the region has sprouted some light snow
showers from Long Island into RI and CT. Vsbys are still above 1SM
and webcams indicating so far a dusting. Latest radar imagery shows
this weak band pushing north and west resulting in a brief break
before the bulk of the precip arrives near 7am.
Details...
Models:
Appears models have a good handle on the current track of this
system as it continues to race up the Eastern Seaboard. Trended the
forecast closer to the Hi-res guidance including the RAP and HRRR.
Strong to Damaging Winds:
This storm will be a serious situation in regards to the damaging
wind potential. Very strong pressure gradient from this system will
result in 925mb winds to increase around 60-70 kts. Winds will begin
to pick up this morning out of the northeast. Most guidance is
in agreement that the core of the LLJ will be across the Cape
and the Island up into coastal Plymouth and into Cape Ann. Mixing
down of winds will be difficult initially with the shallow cold
layer on the N/W side of the coastal front, easier south and
east. However, once the winds switch to a more northeast
direction as well as strong pressure couplet moving through,
the strong wind potential will increase especially this
afternoon. Locations along the immediate MA eastern coast could
see wind gusts between 60-70+ MPH. This will result in tree and
powerlines damage as well as structure damage. Widespread power
outage likely in this area. Please do not take this storm
lightly.
Outside of the immediate coast, could see 40-55 MPH. These winds
combined with any heavy wet snow could help increase the power
outage potential. As the winds shift to a more NW direction,
lapse rates steepen and more mixing will occur esp late in the
afternoon into the evening hours. Thus anticipate blowing and
drifting snow during the evening commute. Lastly, any power
outages will become problematic as bitterly cold air overspreads
the region Thu night in the wake of the departing Nor'easter.
Snow...
Overall trend with the snowfall remains on track for today. Biggest
question was the location of the coastal front which appears to be
setting up around GHG down into EWB. There is a low potential that
this front could push a bit farther west towards TAN, but feel it is
a bit unlikely at this point.
Now that the coastal front is established, anticipate an area of
higher amounts just to the west of the front. This will include the
I-95 corridor and a portion of the SE coastal plain, including the
city of Boston and Providence. The area also lines up with the
strong F-gen banded in the low levels. High snowfall rates are
anticipate nearing 2-3 inches an hour especially around 8am into
3pm. As you trend farther westward, mid-level f-gen band will
develop around Middlesex Co in CT and back into the northern
Worcester county. This region could potentially be a area of snow
enhancements/higher amounts as there is high omega within the snow
growth region resulting in higher snowfall rates. Thus increased CT
and West/central MA snowfall rates for this reason. The band could
potentially shift west or east, but there is high consensus this
location will need to be watched. Overall expect 8-14 inches
with localized high amounts within any banding.
The Cape and MA islands will have thermal issues as they will be
closes to the low which helps bring in warmer temps keeping their p-
types as rain. However as the storm pulls away, temps will quickly
fall and any rain will change to snow on the backside of the system.
Trended the upper Cape for a bit more snow as thermals will quickly
change over. Thus near 6+ inches close to the Canal with an inch
for Chatham and Nantucket.
Overall, there will be about a 6 hr window of very heavy snowfall
from about 8 am to 2 pm when snowfall rates nearing two to three
inches per hour. This snowfall intensity combined with strong NNE
winds will result in a period of near blizzard conditions across
eastern MA and RI. Continued the blizzard warning at this time.
Thought about expanding it, but with multiple bands moving through
and timing of the winds truly picking up, not sure if the less than
1/4mi vsbys requirement will occur. If anything it may be close to
occur within 2 hours and then vsbys will lift as the band shifts.
Also need to have that heavy snowfall rate to help reach that
less than 1/4 mi and with that lasting just a few hours will
limit the 3 hour criteria. A lot still at play thus confidence
wasn't high enough to expand.
Travel will become difficult due to blowing and drifting snow,
high snowfall rates and extreme winds. Please head caution if
you must go out and follow state officials statements.
Flash Freeze Potential...
Other issue will be mixed precip falling across Cape Cod, the
islands and possibly immediate coastal PLY county. As winds shift to
the NW this afternoon, the coastal front will come crashing
southeast toward the coastline with subfreezing temps freezing any
standing water/slush.
Coastal Flooding... Please see coastal flooding section below.
&&
.SHORT TERM /6 PM THIS EVENING THROUGH 6 AM FRIDAY/...
Tonight...
Storm will pull towards the Gulf of Maine tonight. However, still a
strong pressure gradient across the region. Lapse rates will
continue to be steep as northwest winds take hold of the area.
Expect winds gusts around 25-40 MPH overnight as strong CAA pushes
into the region. These winds could result in blowing and drifting
during the overnight, so use caution if traveling.
Overnight lows will fall into the single digits to teens which could
freeze any wet snow over. Wind chill values fall between -5 to -15C.
These cold temps are of great concern esp if power outages linger
into Friday morning. A wind chill adv may be needed for immediate
western Berkshires.
&&
.LONG TERM /FRIDAY THROUGH WEDNESDAY/...
Big Picture...
Longwave pattern maintains a ridge-west/trough-east pattern through
next Wednesday, suggesting colder than normal temperatures much of
the period. Shortwave pattern shows a closed low over NY/New
England Friday and general troffiness Saturday as that low ejects
northeast. The flow then flattens Sunday-Monday before another
trough digs over the Northeast USA midweek.
Southern New England is dominated by the upper low Friday-Saturday
with much below normal heights loudly proclaiming colder than normal
temperatures. Heights return to near normal Sunday night and Monday,
so temps will trend less cold less cold Sunday and near normal
through midweek.
Shortwave over the Gulf of Alaska moves ashore Friday and creates
shortwaves in both the northern and southern streams. These sweep
east, eventually crossing New England Monday night and Tuesday.
Details...
Friday-Saturday...
Closed upper low overhead Friday, ejecting Saturday. Surface high
pressure builds over us Sunday. Cross sections show a layer of
moisture on Friday and Saturday between 850 and 925 mb with addition
moisture above that. However dry air is indicated below 925 mb along
with subsidence at most levels. This would be good for some clouds,
especially northern Mass. Tropopause levels drop lower by 25 percent
during Friday, a further sign of the cold air moving in. Trop levels
start rising again Sunday.
Expect partly to mostly sunny skies, with mixing to between 900 and
925 mb. Temperatures in this layer will be equiv to -23 to -26C
Friday and -27 to -30C Saturday. This suggests max sfc temps in the
upper single numbers and teens Friday, and mostly in the single
numbers Saturday. Temperatures upstream are in the double digits
below zero, so min temps should be below zero Friday and Saturday
night, with northern/western areas of Srn New England -10 degrees or
colder.
Winds in the mixed layer are forecast at 35-40 knots Friday and
30-35 knots Saturday. Combine this with the chilly temps, and
that means wind chills -5 to -15F Friday, and -15 southeast to
-35 northwest Friday night. We have issued a Wind Chill Watch
for Friday and Saturday covering all but the Islands. This may
eventually need to be extended into Sunday.
Air-water temperature differences reach 20-30C Friday and Saturday,
and linger above 13C Sunday. Expect ocean-effect clouds/snow showers
through the weekend with west to northwest winds keeping this
mainly offshore.
Sunday...
The morning starts with more bone-chilling cold. But this will be a
transition day, as surface high pressure builds overhead. This
should continue the dry weather, and the diminishing wind should
shrink the ocean-effect clouds offshore. Temps aloft should be equiv
to -20 to -23C, supporting max sfc temps mid teens to lower 20s.
Monday to Wednesday...
There is some question whether the twin shortwaves will phase or
remain distinct. Either way, we expect increasing clouds Monday and
either a cold front or an offshore low passing New England around
Tuesday. Precipitation type will depend on which scenario
develops...snow from the offshore low or rain from the plain cold
front. For now we will feature rain southeast and snow north and
west. High pressure builds in on Wednesday with dry weather and
a return to cold temperatures.
&&
.AVIATION /10Z THURSDAY THROUGH MONDAY/...
Forecaster Confidence Levels...
Low - less than 30 percent.
Moderate - 30 to 60 percent.
High - greater than 60 percent.
Short Term /through Tonight/...
06Z Update...High confidence in trends. Moderate confidence on
exact timing.
VFR conditions will fall to IFR from southeast to northwest
around 08-12z. IFR/LIFR in snow is likely along most terminals
between 12-21z, except a wintry mix or rain across Cape/Islands.
North winds will strengthen this morning with strongest gusts
along eastern MA and RI (gusts 30-45 kts) and gusts 50-60 kt
Cape Cod, Islands and Cape Ann. During Thu morning into Thu
afternoon, potential for a period of LLWS with N winds 45-65 kts
at 2kft. Blowing and drifting snow will impact area runways
tonight and may produce locally reduced vsbys, otherwise
conditions improve to VFR.
KBOS Terminal...High confidence in TAF. Impacts to the morning
push are likely. Evening push may be impacted with Blowing Snow.
KBDL Terminal...High confidence in TAF. Impacts to the morning
push are likely.
Outlook /Friday through Monday/...High confidence.
Friday through Friday Night: Mainly VFR, with local MVFR
possible on Cape Cod and Islands. Strong winds with local gusts
to 40 kt.
Saturday: VFR. Windy with gusts to 35 kt.
Saturday Night: VFR. Windy with local gusts to 30 kt.
Sunday through Sunday Night: VFR. Breezy.
Monday: Mainly VFR. Areas MVFR/IFR cigs and vsbys possible
Monday night in rain and snow. Breezy.
&&
.MARINE...
Forecaster Confidence Levels...
Low - less than 30 percent.
Moderate - 30 to 60 percent.
High - greater than 60 percent.
Short Term /through Tonight/...
Dangerously high seas and storm force wind gusts expected
Today and tonight.
Low pressure will undergo rapid intensification as it passes
a little east of the Benchmark this afternoon. This will result
in northeast wind gusts shifting to the northwest during the
afternoon with gusts between 50 and 65 knots. This will allow
seas across the outer eastern coastal waters to build to 20-25
and 15 to 20 feet across Massachusetts Bay and just off Cape
Ann. Notably, these seas will likely build very rapidly during
mid to late this morning.
Heavy freezing spray is expected with pockets of extreme freezing
spray right behind this system late tonight into early Friday
morning. Freezing Spray Warnings have been issued, except
Boston Harbor.
This is a dangerous and potentially life threatening situation for
mariners. Mariners should consider remaining in port through at
least today and possibly longer due to the extreme freezing
spray potential.
Outlook /Friday through Monday/...
Friday: Moderate risk for gale force winds with gusts up to
40 kt. Rough seas up to 15 ft. Freezing spray, slight chance of
snow showers. Areas of visibility 1 to 3 nm.
Friday Night: Moderate risk for gale force winds with gusts up
to 40 kt. Rough seas up to 15 ft. Freezing spray likely, slight
chance of snow showers. Areas of visibility 1 to 3 nm.
Saturday: Moderate risk for gale force winds with gusts up to
35 kt. Rough seas up to 12 ft. Freezing spray likely, slight
chance of snow showers. Local visibility 1 to 3 nm.
Saturday Night: Moderate risk for Small Craft Advisory winds
with gusts up to 30 kt. Areas of rough seas. Freezing spray
likely, slight chance of snow showers. Local visibility 1 to
3 nm.
Sunday: Winds less than 25 kt. Seas locally approaching 5 ft.
Sunday Night: Low risk for Small Craft Advisory winds with
gusts up to 25 kt. Areas of seas approaching 5 ft. Freezing
spray likely.
Monday: Moderate risk for Small Craft Advisory winds with gusts
up to 25 kt. Local rough seas. Slight chance of rain. Local
visibility 1 to 3 nm.
&&
.TIDES/COASTAL FLOODING...
Coastal Flood Warning remains in effect. We have not made any
significant changes from our earlier issuance. We are still
anticipating a widespread moderate event with pockets of major
coastal flooding along east and northeast facing shorelines
south of Boston.
This event will likely produce fairly extensive inundation given
the expected high water levels. Some damage to very vulnerable
structures is likely from wave action on top of the high water
levels. The rapid intensification expected with this storm is
alarming as well as having strong winds coincide fairly closely
with the time of the high tide. We see two factors that may
temper this event from being truly destructive. One is that it
looks as though the wind will be mainly from the NNE or perhaps
even N at the time of the high tide, limiting the onshore
component for some of the coastline. The second factor is that
this storm is very progressive and so there is limited duration
to fully develop the seas, although we expect rapid building of
seas nevertheless during mid morning into early afternoon. We
will need to monitor these two factors closely. Keep in mind
that there is always some uncertainty with these events, and a
wind direction change of just 20 to 30 degrees further from the
east could make a significant difference.
Recapping some highlights, we are starting at a very high
astronomical tide, 12.1 feet MLLW in Boston and 4.2 feet MLLW in
Nantucket, and this storm will intensify extremely rapidly with
very strong north northeast winds gusting to 60 mph or higher
along much of the coastline by the time of high tide. We are
still predicting a storm surge of 2 to 2.5 feet north of Boston
and 2.5 to 3 feet south of Boston along east and north facing
shorelines. Waves will be building rapidly during the day and
will probably have built to around 15 feet by the time of the
high tide off Cape Ann and across Massachusetts Bay and to 20
feet just east of Cape Cod and Nantucket. We continue to have
the additional concern of chunks of sea ice that may be washed
onshore and exacerbate damage in some spots along the coast.
We think the coastal flooding along vulnerable shore roads and
in vulnerable basements will be widespread and could have
pockets of inundation up to 6 feet in low lying areas. Waves on
top of the very high water levels will likely damage vulnerable
structures such as decks, docks, beach access stairs, parking
lots, etc. along the shoreline. Some homes and businesses,
especially along the Plymouth County coast, may be damaged by
the combination of high water and wave action. Still another
potential issue is that the cold temperatures will result in
freezing spray on some structures along the exposed shoreline
from Salisbury to Plymouth. More widespread damage of homes and
businesses is possible if waves should build several feet higher
than currently forecast or the wind should hold onto a more
easterly component through the time of high tide.
The water will probably be very slow to recede in some spots,
especially with some drains clogged with snow and ice. The
standing water will freeze and may be in place for an extended
time.
There may be some minor impacts lingering along Cape Cod Bay
and Nantucket for the Thursday night high tide but for the most
part this is a one tide cycle storm.
&&
.CLIMATE...
There is the potential for record cold again this weekend.
Record Minimum High (Low Max) Temperatures for Friday 1/5:
BOS 14/1884
BDL 18/1976
PVD 20/1976
ORH 14/1904, 1896
MQE 10/1904
Record Minimum High (Low Max) and Record Maximum Lows (Low Min)
for Saturday 1/6:
Max Min
BOS 7/1896 -10/1896
BDL 9/1912 -6/1976
PVD 11/1912 1/1996
ORH 6/1896 -12/1896
MQE 3/1896 -14/1896
Record Minimum High (Low Max) and Record Maximum Lows (Low Min)
for Sunday 1/7:
Max Min
BOS 12/1912 -2/1896
BDL 13/1996 1/1912
PVD 12/1912 -1/1912
ORH 11/1973 -5/1942
MQE 7/1912 -7/1896
&&
.BOX WATCHES/WARNINGS/ADVISORIES...
CT...Winter Storm Warning until 1 AM EST Friday for CTZ002>004.
Wind Chill Watch from Friday morning through Saturday
afternoon for CTZ002>004.
MA...Blizzard Warning until 7 PM EST this evening for MAZ007-015-
016-018>021.
Coastal Flood Warning from 11 AM this morning to 4 PM EST this
afternoon for MAZ007-015-016-019-022>024.
Wind Chill Watch from Friday evening through Saturday
afternoon for MAZ005>007-013>022.
Winter Storm Warning until 1 AM EST Friday for MAZ002>006-
008>014-017-026.
Wind Chill Watch from Friday morning through Saturday
afternoon for MAZ002>004-008>012-026.
High Wind Warning until 1 AM EST Friday for MAZ022>024.
Winter Storm Warning from 10 AM this morning to 1 AM EST
Friday for MAZ022-023.
RI...Blizzard Warning until 7 PM EST this evening for RIZ007-008.
Wind Chill Watch from Friday evening through Saturday
afternoon for RIZ001>007.
Winter Storm Warning until 1 AM EST Friday for RIZ001>006.
MARINE...Heavy Freezing Spray Warning from 5 PM this afternoon to 1 PM
EST Saturday for ANZ231>235-237.
Storm Warning until 10 PM EST this evening for ANZ231>235-237-
250-251-254>256.
Storm Warning from noon today to 10 PM EST this evening for
ANZ230.
Heavy Freezing Spray Warning until 7 PM EST Friday for ANZ236.
Storm Warning from noon today to 8 PM EST this evening for
ANZ236.
Heavy Freezing Spray Warning from 1 AM Friday to 1 PM EST
Saturday for ANZ250-251-254>256.
&&
SYNOPSIS...WTB/Dunten
NEAR TERM...Dunten
SHORT TERM...Dunten
LONG TERM...WTB
AVIATION...WTB/Dunten
MARINE...WTB/Dunten/Thompson
TIDES/COASTAL FLOODING...Thompson
CLIMATE...StaffHazardous Weather Outlook National Weather Service Taunton MA 354 AM EST Thu Jan 4 2018 CTZ002>004-MAZ002>004-008>012-026-050900- Hartford CT-Tolland CT-Windham CT-Western Franklin MA- Eastern Franklin MA-Northern Worcester MA-Western Hampshire MA- Western Hampden MA-Eastern Hampshire MA-Eastern Hampden MA- Southern Worcester MA-Northern Middlesex MA- 354 AM EST Thu Jan 4 2018 ...WINTER STORM WARNING IN EFFECT UNTIL 1 AM EST FRIDAY... ...WIND CHILL WATCH IN EFFECT FROM FRIDAY MORNING THROUGH SATURDAY AFTERNOON... This Hazardous Weather Outlook is for northern Connecticut, central Massachusetts, eastern Massachusetts and western Massachusetts. .DAY ONE...Today and 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...Friday through Wednesday. Please listen to NOAA Weather Radio or go to weather.gov on the Internet for more information about the following hazards. Wind Chill Watch. Strong winds Friday and Saturday may require a wind advisory. Through the weekend...The prolonged bitter cold brings the chance for isolated freeze-up ice jams within interior southern New England. Freeze-up ice jams can produce flooding upriver of the ice jam location. Sea ice formation is also likely on harbors, bays, and inlets. .SPOTTER INFORMATION STATEMENT... Weather spotters are encouraged to report significant weather conditions according to Standard Operating Procedures. MAZ005-006-013-014-017-RIZ001>006-050900- Central Middlesex MA-Western Essex MA-Western Norfolk MA- Southeast Middlesex MA-Northern Bristol MA-Northwest Providence RI- Southeast Providence RI-Western Kent RI-Eastern Kent RI-Bristol RI- Washington RI- 354 AM EST Thu Jan 4 2018 ...WINTER STORM WARNING IN EFFECT UNTIL 1 AM EST FRIDAY... ...WIND CHILL WATCH IN EFFECT FROM FRIDAY EVENING THROUGH SATURDAY AFTERNOON... This Hazardous Weather Outlook is for eastern Massachusetts, northeastern Massachusetts, southeastern Massachusetts, northern Rhode Island and southern Rhode Island. .DAY ONE...Today and 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...Friday through Wednesday. Please listen to NOAA Weather Radio or go to weather.gov on the Internet for more information about the following hazards. Wind Chill Watch. Strong winds Friday and Saturday may require a wind advisory. Through the weekend...The prolonged bitter cold brings the chance for isolated freeze-up ice jams within interior southern New England. Freeze-up ice jams can produce flooding upriver of the ice jam location. Sea ice formation is also likely on harbors, bays, and inlets. .SPOTTER INFORMATION STATEMENT... Weather spotters are encouraged to report significant weather conditions according to Standard Operating Procedures. MAZ007-015-016-019-050900- Eastern Essex MA-Suffolk MA-Eastern Norfolk MA-Eastern Plymouth MA- 354 AM EST Thu Jan 4 2018 ...BLIZZARD WARNING IN EFFECT FROM 7 AM THIS MORNING TO 7 PM EST THIS EVENING... ...COASTAL FLOOD WARNING IN EFFECT FROM 11 AM THIS MORNING TO 4 PM EST THIS AFTERNOON... ...WIND CHILL WATCH IN EFFECT FROM FRIDAY EVENING THROUGH SATURDAY AFTERNOON... This Hazardous Weather Outlook is for eastern Massachusetts, northeastern Massachusetts and southeastern Massachusetts. .DAY ONE...Today and Tonight. Please listen to NOAA Weather Radio or go to weather.gov on the Internet for more information about the following hazards. Blizzard Warning. Coastal Flood Warning. .DAYS TWO THROUGH SEVEN...Friday through Wednesday. Please listen to NOAA Weather Radio or go to weather.gov on the Internet for more information about the following hazards. Wind Chill Watch. Strong winds Friday and Saturday may require a wind advisory. Through the weekend...The prolonged bitter cold brings the chance for isolated freeze-up ice jams within interior southern New England. Freeze-up ice jams can produce flooding upriver of the ice jam location. Sea ice formation is also likely on harbors, bays, and inlets. .SPOTTER INFORMATION STATEMENT... Weather spotters are encouraged to report significant weather conditions according to Standard Operating Procedures. MAZ022-050900- Barnstable MA- 354 AM EST Thu Jan 4 2018 ...HIGH WIND WARNING IN EFFECT FROM 7 AM THIS MORNING TO 1 AM EST FRIDAY... ...WINTER STORM WARNING IN EFFECT FROM 10 AM THIS MORNING TO 1 AM EST FRIDAY... ...COASTAL FLOOD WARNING IN EFFECT FROM 11 AM THIS MORNING TO 4 PM EST THIS AFTERNOON... ...WIND CHILL WATCH IN EFFECT FROM FRIDAY EVENING THROUGH SATURDAY AFTERNOON... This Hazardous Weather Outlook is for southeastern Massachusetts. .DAY ONE...Today and Tonight. Please listen to NOAA Weather Radio or go to weather.gov on the Internet for more information about the following hazards. High Wind Warning. Winter Storm Warning. Coastal Flood Warning. .DAYS TWO THROUGH SEVEN...Friday through Wednesday. Please listen to NOAA Weather Radio or go to weather.gov on the Internet for more information about the following hazards. Wind Chill Watch. Strong winds Friday and Saturday may require a wind advisory. Through the weekend...The prolonged bitter cold brings the chance for isolated freeze-up ice jams within interior southern New England. Freeze-up ice jams can produce flooding upriver of the ice jam location. Sea ice formation is also likely on harbors, bays, and inlets. .SPOTTER INFORMATION STATEMENT... Weather spotters are encouraged to report significant weather conditions according to Standard Operating Procedures. MAZ023-050900- Dukes MA- 354 AM EST Thu Jan 4 2018 ...HIGH WIND WARNING IN EFFECT FROM 7 AM THIS MORNING TO 1 AM EST FRIDAY... ...WINTER STORM WARNING IN EFFECT FROM 10 AM THIS MORNING TO 1 AM EST FRIDAY... ...COASTAL FLOOD WARNING IN EFFECT FROM 11 AM THIS MORNING TO 4 PM EST THIS AFTERNOON... This Hazardous Weather Outlook is for southeastern Massachusetts. .DAY ONE...Today and Tonight. Please listen to NOAA Weather Radio or go to weather.gov on the Internet for more information about the following hazards. High Wind Warning. Winter Storm Warning. Coastal Flood Warning. .DAYS TWO THROUGH SEVEN...Friday through Wednesday. Strong winds Friday and Saturday may require a wind advisory. The winds will produce bitterly cold wind chills. Through the weekend...The prolonged bitter cold brings the chance for isolated freeze-up ice jams within interior southern New England. Freeze-up ice jams can produce flooding upriver of the ice jam location. Sea ice formation is also likely on harbors, bays, and inlets. .SPOTTER INFORMATION STATEMENT... Weather spotters are encouraged to report significant weather conditions according to Standard Operating Procedures. MAZ018-020-021-RIZ007-050900- Western Plymouth MA-Southern Bristol MA-Southern Plymouth MA- Newport RI- 354 AM EST Thu Jan 4 2018 ...BLIZZARD WARNING IN EFFECT FROM 7 AM THIS MORNING TO 7 PM EST THIS EVENING... ...WIND CHILL WATCH IN EFFECT FROM FRIDAY EVENING THROUGH SATURDAY AFTERNOON... This Hazardous Weather Outlook is for southeastern Massachusetts and southern Rhode Island. .DAY ONE...Today and Tonight. Please listen to NOAA Weather Radio or go to weather.gov on the Internet for more information about the following hazards. Blizzard Warning. .DAYS TWO THROUGH SEVEN...Friday through Wednesday. Please listen to NOAA Weather Radio or go to weather.gov on the Internet for more information about the following hazards. Wind Chill Watch. Strong winds Friday and Saturday may require a wind advisory. Through the weekend...The prolonged bitter cold brings the chance for isolated freeze-up ice jams within interior southern New England. Freeze-up ice jams can produce flooding upriver of the ice jam location. Sea ice formation is also likely on harbors, bays, and inlets. .SPOTTER INFORMATION STATEMENT... Weather spotters are encouraged to report significant weather conditions according to Standard Operating Procedures. MAZ024-050900- Nantucket MA- 354 AM EST Thu Jan 4 2018 ...HIGH WIND WARNING IN EFFECT FROM 7 AM THIS MORNING TO 1 AM EST FRIDAY... ...COASTAL FLOOD WARNING IN EFFECT FROM 11 AM THIS MORNING TO 4 PM EST THIS AFTERNOON... This Hazardous Weather Outlook is for southeastern Massachusetts. .DAY ONE...Today and Tonight. Please listen to NOAA Weather Radio or go to weather.gov on the Internet for more information about the following hazards. High Wind Warning. Coastal Flood Warning. .DAYS TWO THROUGH SEVEN...Friday through Wednesday. Strong winds Friday and Saturday may require a wind advisory. The winds will produce bitterly cold wind chills. Through the weekend...The prolonged bitter cold brings the chance for isolated freeze-up ice jams within interior southern New England. Freeze-up ice jams can produce flooding upriver of the ice jam location. Sea ice formation is also likely on harbors, bays, and inlets. .SPOTTER INFORMATION STATEMENT... Weather spotters are encouraged to report significant weather conditions according to Standard Operating Procedures. RIZ008-050900- Block Island RI- 354 AM EST Thu Jan 4 2018 ...BLIZZARD WARNING IN EFFECT FROM 7 AM THIS MORNING TO 7 PM EST THIS EVENING... This Hazardous Weather Outlook is for southern Rhode Island. .DAY ONE...Today and Tonight. Please listen to NOAA Weather Radio or go to weather.gov on the Internet for more information about the following hazards. Blizzard Warning. .DAYS TWO THROUGH SEVEN...Friday through Wednesday. Strong winds Friday and Saturday may require a wind advisory. The winds will produce bitterly cold wind chills. Through the weekend...The prolonged bitter cold brings the chance for isolated freeze-up ice jams within interior southern New England. Freeze-up ice jams can produce flooding upriver of the ice jam location. Sea ice formation is also likely on harbors, bays, and inlets. .SPOTTER INFORMATION STATEMENT... Weather spotters are encouraged to report significant weather conditions according to Standard Operating Procedures. ANZ250-251-254>256-050900- 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- 354 AM EST Thu Jan 4 2018 ...STORM WARNING IN EFFECT FROM 7 AM THIS MORNING TO 10 PM EST THIS EVENING... ...HEAVY FREEZING SPRAY WARNING IN EFFECT FROM 1 AM FRIDAY TO 1 PM EST SATURDAY... This Hazardous Weather Outlook is for Massachusetts coastal waters and Rhode Island coastal waters. .DAY ONE...Today and Tonight. Please listen to NOAA Weather Radio or go to weather.gov on the Internet for more information about the following hazards. Storm Warning. Heavy Freezing Spray Warning. .DAYS TWO THROUGH SEVEN...Friday through Wednesday. Please listen to NOAA Weather Radio or go to weather.gov on the Internet for more information about the following hazards. Heavy Freezing Spray Warning. The prolonged bitter cold is favorable for sea ice formation on harbors, bays, and inlets through the weekend. .SPOTTER INFORMATION STATEMENT... Weather spotters are encouraged to report significant weather conditions according to Standard Operating Procedures. ANZ231>235-237-050900- Cape Cod Bay-Nantucket Sound-Vineyard Sound-Buzzards Bay- Rhode Island Sound-Block Island Sound- 354 AM EST Thu Jan 4 2018 ...STORM WARNING IN EFFECT FROM 7 AM THIS MORNING TO 10 PM EST THIS EVENING... ...HEAVY FREEZING SPRAY WARNING IN EFFECT FROM 5 PM THIS AFTERNOON TO 1 PM EST SATURDAY... This Hazardous Weather Outlook is for Massachusetts coastal waters and Rhode Island coastal waters. .DAY ONE...Today and Tonight. Please listen to NOAA Weather Radio or go to weather.gov on the Internet for more information about the following hazards. Storm Warning. Heavy Freezing Spray Warning. .DAYS TWO THROUGH SEVEN...Friday through Wednesday. Please listen to NOAA Weather Radio or go to weather.gov on the Internet for more information about the following hazards. Heavy Freezing Spray Warning. The prolonged bitter cold is favorable for sea ice formation on harbors, bays, and inlets through the weekend. .SPOTTER INFORMATION STATEMENT... Weather spotters are encouraged to report significant weather conditions according to Standard Operating Procedures. ANZ236-050900- Narragansett Bay- 354 AM EST Thu Jan 4 2018 ...HEAVY FREEZING SPRAY WARNING IN EFFECT FROM 7 AM THIS MORNING TO 7 PM EST FRIDAY... ...STORM WARNING IN EFFECT FROM NOON TODAY TO 8 PM EST THIS EVENING... This Hazardous Weather Outlook is for Rhode Island coastal waters. .DAY ONE...Today and Tonight. Please listen to NOAA Weather Radio or go to weather.gov on the Internet for more information about the following hazards. Heavy Freezing Spray Warning. Storm Warning. .DAYS TWO THROUGH SEVEN...Friday through Wednesday. Please listen to NOAA Weather Radio or go to weather.gov on the Internet for more information about the following hazards. Heavy Freezing Spray Warning. The prolonged bitter cold is favorable for sea ice formation on harbors, bays, and inlets through the weekend. .SPOTTER INFORMATION STATEMENT... Weather spotters are encouraged to report significant weather conditions according to Standard Operating Procedures. ANZ230-050900- Boston Harbor- 354 AM EST Thu Jan 4 2018 ...STORM WARNING IN EFFECT FROM NOON TODAY TO 10 PM EST THIS EVENING... This Hazardous Weather Outlook is for Massachusetts coastal waters. .DAY ONE...Today and Tonight. Please listen to NOAA Weather Radio or go to weather.gov on the Internet for more information about the following hazards. Storm Warning. .DAYS TWO THROUGH SEVEN...Friday through Wednesday. The prolonged bitter cold is favorable for sea ice formation on harbors, bays, and inlets through the weekend. .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/NWSBoston You can follow us on Twitter at @NWSBoston
The national radar mosaic for the moment the first event began.
7 winter storm, 1 blizzard. Local standard time, as filed.
Twelve to fourteen inches of snow fell on Western Kent County.
Twelve to fifteen inches of snow fell on Newport County.
Eleven to fourteen inches of snow fell on Washington County. At 339 PM EST, the Automated Surface Observation System (ASOS) platform at Westerly State Airport measured a wind gust to 56 mph.
Twelve to seventeen inches of snow fell on Bristol County Rhode Island.
Blizzard conditions were observed at Block Island State Airport from 830 AM to 1205 PM. Eleven inches of snow fell on Block Island.
Eleven to sixteen inches of snow fell on Eastern Kent County. At 403 PM EST, the Automated Surface Observation System (ASOS) platform at T F Green State Airport measured a wind gust to 55 mph.
Eight to fourteen inches of snow fell on Northwest Providence County.
Twelve to sixteen inches of snow fell on Southeast Providence County.
After NWS Directive 10-1605, the rules offices file Storm Data by.
Every storm in Rhode Island in 2018Every state in 2018This day in weather historyWarnings in Rhode Island, January 2018
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: 733105, 733106, 733110, 733101, 733111, 733103, 733107, 733108.