Massachusetts, 2022

Blizzard and Winter Storm in Massachusetts, January 28 to 29, 2022

January 28 to 29, 2022 · NWS BOX · 25 events in 20 counties and zones

Explosive cyclogenesis of a low pressure center off the Mid Atlantic coast brought a strong winter storm with blizzard conditions to all of southern New England Saturday and Saturday night. The storm tracked from east of the Carolinas to the 70w/40n benchmark bringing extreme snowfall rates of 2 to 4 inches per hour and winds gusting to hurricane force along the coast and 50 to 60 mph inland.

Where it happened

Every event with a place to put it; 25 filed by county or forecast zone are drawn at its center, in a lighter ring. Tap one for its entry below.

  • Tornadoes
  • Tropical storms and surge
  • Floods
  • Wind
  • Hail
  • Winter weather
  • Heat and drought
  • Cold
  • Fire, smoke and dust
  • Marine and coastal
  • Other

Open the live radar over this ground

The toll

Deaths
0
Injuries
0
Property damage
$5,000
Crop damage
None recorded
Events
25

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.

What happened

The episode as NWS BOX wrote it up.

Explosive cyclogenesis of a low pressure center off the Mid Atlantic coast brought a strong winter storm with blizzard conditions to all of southern New England Saturday and Saturday night. The storm tracked from east of the Carolinas to the 70w/40n benchmark bringing extreme snowfall rates of 2 to 4 inches per hour and winds gusting to hurricane force along the coast and 50 to 60 mph inland. The heaviest snow, just under 30 inches, fell over southeast MA. Snow tapered off overnight Saturday with quiet weather to follow on Sunday.

What forecasters said that day

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 28, 6:40 AM EST, 2 hours 20 minutes earlier.

Area forecast discussion, Jan 28, 6:40 AM EST, 2 hours 20 minutes before
Area Forecast Discussion
National Weather Service Boston/Norton MA
640 AM EST Fri Jan 28 2022

.SYNOPSIS...
A cold front moves through the region this afternoon, possibly
accompanied by a few snow showers or flurries. A powerful winter
storm will impact much of southern New England Saturday into
Saturday evening, bringing heavy snow, blizzard conditions to the
coast, possibly damaging winds and coastal flooding. Drier weather
returns with below normal temperatures Sunday before a warm up next
week.

&&

.NEAR TERM /UNTIL 6 PM THIS EVENING/...

7 AM update...

The first push of light radar returns is exiting Cape Code at
this hour, though with dewpoint depressions around 10 degrees
and model soundings indicating a dry layer below 900 mb, not
expecting to see much at the surface. The next wave of snow
showers for wester MA/CT comes late morning/afternoon when the
boundary layer moistens up a bit. Not expecting appreciable
accumulation, however.

Previous Discussion...

Overall quiet and relatively mild weather is expected today as
high pressure exits to the east. Increasing moisture on SW flow
is bringing clouds and light snow showers this morning ahead of
a mid level trough. Marginal forcing for ascent from this trough
together with convergence ahead of an approaching cold front is
already leading to scattered light snow showers from Worcester
to Cape Ann. This will continue off an on through early
afternoon when the cold front drops through. Best chance of
these showers will be over western MA and CT. Highs today will
be warmer than yesterday, in the upper 20s to mid 30s.

Late tonight after midnight things will begin to ramp up ahead of
our significant winter storm, the bulk of which comes on Saturday.
The 500 mb trough over the Tennessee Valley moves over the Carolinas
between 06 and 12Z spawning a low offshore that will rapidly deepen
as it moves up just south of the 70/40 benchmark by sunrise.
Guidance has come into much better agreement on this track, with the
outlier GFS finally shifting back west substantially over the last
24 hours. While the greatest forcing and heavy snow won't start in
earnest until after 5 to 7 am or so, light to moderate snow will
move into the south coast around midnight and quickly spread north
and west. Given a very cold column, snow-to-liquid ratios at or
above 10:1, and QPF 0.25" to 0.5" we'll be waking up to snowfall
amounts of 2 to 5 inches centered over southeast MA.

&&

.SHORT TERM /6 PM THIS EVENING THROUGH 6 AM SATURDAY/...
*** A powerful multi facet winter storm with blizzard conditions
 and near hurricane force winds to impact southern New England
 Saturday & Saturday evening ***

Overview...

Explosive cyclogenesis occurs off the Mid Atlc coast tonight, with
an impressive ~40 mb pressure drop in 24 hrs, yielding a bomb
cyclone of around a 965 mb low over the eastern MA waters Sat
evening!  00z guidance trended west and is in somewhat better
agreement than previous runs, however differences still exist. The
00z NAM (especially the 12km NAM) the deepest, slowest and farthest
west solution of the 00z guidance. Therefore followed a non NAM
model blend solution for this portion of the forecast.

Details...

Heavy snow/Blizzard conditions...

Intense cyclone developing along a highly baroclinic zone, coupled
with very strong jet dynamics, dual upper level jet streak and a
fire hose of Atlantic moisture, will result in very heavy snowfall
across RI and eastern MA. Still some uncertainty on the westward
extent of the heavy snow. However enough confidence to upgrade to
warnings for the entire region, except western MA where a winter
storm watch was issued, given this will be the back edge of the
heavy snow. Farther east across RI and eastern MA, heaviest snow
will fall during the day Sat and Sat evening, where snowfall rates
of 2-4 inches per hour are possible at times across RI and eastern
MA, yielding storm totals of 12-18" across this area. The highest
totals will likely be realized across eastern MA including
Boston,Cape Cod and Marthas Vineyard where 18-24 inches is likely,
and a low prob of isolated amounts of up to 30" is possible. However
still too early to say exactly where these mesoscale bands set up,
usually just to the NW of the mid level low or mid level bent back
warm front. It's possible this heavy band of snow may pivot as far
west as eastern CT/RI into the Worcester Hills. SLR in this band
will likely be on the order of 15-20 to 1, given strong forcing in
the snow growth region. Still too early to pinpoint these mesoscale
features at this time range. Other issue with these mesoscale bands,
is there is usually considerably less snow on either side of the
band. Thus, snow totals will vary somewhat from location to
location. Issued a blizzard warning for the immediate coast, as this
is the area of highest probability of heavy snow, strong winds and
vsby near zero at times. It's possible the blizzard warning may need
to expanded westward into RT-128 and RI. Will wait to see trends in
12z guidance. Thundersnow is possible on the nose of the dry slot, as
intrusion of mid level dry air steepens lapse rates. Although, if
the dry slot comes too far onshore, this would cut down on snow
totals, which is possible across the Cape and Islands. Something we
will have to watch. Considerable blowing and drifting snow will
persist into Sat night even after the snow ends, in response to very
strong NNW winds.

Strong to damaging winds...

Impressive low level NNE jet of 75-85 kt traverse the region this
afternoon. Model soundings indicate up to 65 kt gusts is possible
from Cape Ann to Cape Cod including the Islands. Thus, it's possible
a few locations gust to hurricane force 64 kt/74 mph! Therefore,
tree damage and power outages are possible in this region this
afternoon and early evening.

Dangerous cold...

As storm intensifies, it will draw upon very cold air over NY state
and northern New England, advecting this airmass southward. Thus
temps will fall thru the teens with heavy snow falling this
afternoon. Gusty NNE winds will yield wind chills between +5 to
-10F. So not quite Wind Chill Advisory criteria, but given near
white-out conditions at times, again, don't venture out if at all
possible.

Coastal flooding...

See coastal flooding section for discussion.

&&

.LONG TERM /SATURDAY THROUGH THURSDAY/...
Highlights...

* Quiet and increasingly mild weather to follow through most of the
  week.

Sunday the low center moves up through the maritimes, replaced
quickly by a broad high pressure. This high lingers overhead through
at least Tuesday bringing dry and sunny weather. Winds, though, will
remain elevated on Sunday as we're sandwiched between the exiting
low and incoming high. Bufkit soundings indicate winds gusting 15 to
25 mph for most. Next chance for some wet weather comes around
Wednesday with a glancing blow from a low passing to our north, but
this looks insignificant at the moment. The main story will be
warming temperatures, peaking in the low 50s by Thursday.

&&

.AVIATION /12Z FRIDAY THROUGH TUESDAY/...
Low - less than 30 percent.
Medium - 30 to 60 percent.
High - greater than 60 percent.

12z update...

Today...high confidence.

Marginal MVFR/VFR along with scattered flurries possible. Light
SW wind in the morning, becoming light NW late in the day.

Tonight...moderate confidence.

MVFR to localized IFR conditions developing as light snow moves
in from the southwest. N to NNE winds increasing to 15-20 kt
across interior terminals and 25-30 kt across coastal terminals.

Saturday...moderate confidence.

*** Near Blizzard conditions across eastern MA, including KBOS,
 Cape Cod and the Islands ***

Widespread IFR conditions across RI and eastern MA with LIFR
possible at times, with near-zero vsby and NE wind gusts up to
60 mph at times, yielding near-blizzard conditions at times.
For interior terminals, N winds 15-20 kt with gusts 30-35 kt.
IFR/LIFR in near blizzard conditions may extend westward into
the Worcester Hill and eastern CT. LLWS of 70 kt at 2500 ft.

Saturday night...moderate confidence.

Near blizzard conditions at 00z in IFR/LIFR conditions, will
improve by late evening and especially overnight. Elsewhere
accumulating snow ends from west to east, with MVFR/IFR
conditions at 00z improving to MVFR/VFR overnight. Gusty NNW
winds will result in considerable blowing and drifting snow,
even after accumulating snow ends. Preliminary snow totals...

KBOS...18-24" with higher drifts
KPVD...12-18" with higher drifts
KORH...8-12" with higher drifts
KBDL...6-10" with higher drifts

KBOS Terminal...heaviest snow with possibly 2-4" hourly
snowfall rates along with strongest winds 18z Sat thru 00z Sun.

KBDL Terminal...heaviest snow with possibly 1-2" hourly snowfall
rates and strongest winds 18z-22z.

Outlook /Saturday through Tuesday/...

Saturday: Mainly IFR, with local MVFR possible. Strong winds
with gusts up to 65 kt. SN.

Saturday Night: Mainly VFR, with local IFR possible. Strong
winds with gusts up to 60 kt. Chance SN.

Sunday: VFR. Windy with local gusts up to 30 kt.

Sunday Night: VFR. Breezy.

Monday through Monday Night: VFR.

Tuesday: Mainly VFR, with local MVFR possible.

&&

.MARINE...
Forecaster Confidence Levels.

Low - less than 30 percent.
Moderate - 30 to 60 percent.
High - greater than 60 percent.

*** Storm Warnings with near hurricane force gusts ***

Friday...high confidence.

Cold front sweeps across the waters with SSW winds in the morning
becoming WNW in the afternoon. Other than a few scattered snow
showers or flurries, dry weather and good vsby prevail.

Tonight...high confidence.

A powerful coastal storm approaches from the southeast, with N
winds turning NNE with gusts increasing to 30-40 kt by
daybreak. Rough seas with outer waters increasing to 6-10 ft.

Saturday...high confidence.

A very powerful coastal storm tracks just east of Nantucket and Cape
Cod, with central pressure lowering to around 965 mb in the MA
coastal waters Sat afternoon. Storm force NNE winds with a few gusts
approaching hurricane force (64 kt/74 mph). Dangerous seas building
20 to 30 ft eastern MA waters. Vsby near zero at times in heavy
snow.

Saturday Night: Strong NNW winds with gusts up to 55 kt. Rough seas
up to 28 ft. Chance of snow. Areas of visibility 1 nm or less.

Outlook /Saturday through Tuesday/...

Sunday: Moderate risk for Small Craft Advisory winds with gusts
up to 30 kt. Rough seas up to 16 ft. Chance of freezing spray.

Sunday Night: Winds less than 25 kt. Local rough seas.

Monday: Winds less than 25 kt. Seas locally approaching 5 ft.

Monday Night: Winds less than 25 kt.

Tuesday: Winds less than 25 kt. Areas of seas approaching 5 ft.

&&

.TIDES/COASTAL FLOODING...
Two tide cycles will be impacted from this storm, Sat morning and
Sat evening. However, as of now it appears the strongest wind and
storm surge will occur around the time of low tide Sat afternoon,
with a surge of 2 to 3 ft. If this timing holds, both tide cycles
would likely experience widespread minor coastal flooding, with
pockets of moderate flooding. Didn't have 50% confidence for
widespread moderate coastal flooding, therefore held off on a
coastal flood watch. However, day shift today will have to see how
12z guidance trends, especially regarding timing of strongest winds
and surge.

&&

.BOX WATCHES/WARNINGS/ADVISORIES...
CT...Winter Storm Warning from midnight tonight to midnight EST
     Saturday night for CTZ002>004.
MA...Winter Storm Warning from midnight tonight to midnight EST
     Saturday night for MAZ003>006-010>014-017-018-020-021-024-
     026.
     Blizzard Warning from 7 AM Saturday to 5 AM EST Sunday for
     MAZ007-015-016-019-022-023.
     Winter Storm Watch from late tonight through Saturday evening
     for MAZ002-008-009.
RI...Winter Storm Warning from midnight tonight to midnight EST
     Saturday night for RIZ001>008.
MARINE...Storm Warning from 4 AM Saturday to midnight EST Saturday
     night for ANZ230>237-250-251-254>256.

&&

SYNOPSIS...Nocera/BW
NEAR TERM...BW
SHORT TERM...Nocera
LONG TERM...BW
AVIATION...Nocera/BW
MARINE...Nocera/BW
TIDES/COASTAL FLOODING...
Hazardous weather outlook, Jan 28, 4:32 AM EST, 4 hours 28 minutes before
Hazardous Weather Outlook
National Weather Service Boston/Norton MA
432 AM EST Fri Jan 28 2022

CTZ002>004-MAZ003>006-010>014-017-018-020-021-024-026-RIZ001>008-
290945-
Hartford CT-Tolland CT-Windham CT-Eastern Franklin MA-
Northern Worcester MA-Central Middlesex MA-Western Essex 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-
Nantucket MA-Northern Middlesex MA-Northwest Providence RI-
Southeast Providence RI-Western Kent RI-Eastern Kent RI-Bristol RI-
Washington RI-Newport RI-Block Island RI-
432 AM EST Fri Jan 28 2022

...WINTER STORM WARNING IN EFFECT FROM MIDNIGHT TONIGHT TO MIDNIGHT
EST SATURDAY NIGHT...

This Hazardous Weather Outlook is for northern Connecticut, central
Massachusetts, eastern Massachusetts, northeastern Massachusetts,
southeastern Massachusetts, western Massachusetts, and 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...Saturday through Thursday.

Please listen to NOAA Weather Radio or go to weather.gov on the
Internet for more information about the following hazards.

   Winter Storm Warning.

.SPOTTER INFORMATION STATEMENT...

Spotter activation is not expected at this time.

MAZ002-008-009-290945-
Western Franklin MA-Western Hampshire MA-Western Hampden MA-
432 AM EST Fri Jan 28 2022

...WINTER STORM WATCH IN EFFECT FROM LATE TONIGHT THROUGH SATURDAY
EVENING...

This Hazardous Weather Outlook is for 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 Watch.

.DAYS TWO THROUGH SEVEN...Saturday through Thursday.

Please listen to NOAA Weather Radio or go to weather.gov on the
Internet for more information about the following hazards.

   Winter Storm Watch.

.SPOTTER INFORMATION STATEMENT...

Spotter activation is not expected at this time.

MAZ007-015-016-019-022-023-290945-
Eastern Essex MA-Suffolk MA-Eastern Norfolk MA-Eastern Plymouth MA-
Barnstable MA-Dukes MA-
432 AM EST Fri Jan 28 2022

...BLIZZARD WARNING IN EFFECT FROM 7 AM SATURDAY TO 5 AM EST
SUNDAY...

This Hazardous Weather Outlook is for eastern Massachusetts,
northeastern Massachusetts and southeastern Massachusetts.

.DAY ONE...Today and tonight.

No hazardous weather is expected at this time.

.DAYS TWO THROUGH SEVEN...Saturday through Thursday.

Please listen to NOAA Weather Radio or go to weather.gov on the
Internet for more information about the following hazards.

   Blizzard Warning.

.SPOTTER INFORMATION STATEMENT...

Spotter activation is not expected at this time.

ANZ230>237-250-251-254>256-290945-
Boston Harbor-Cape Cod Bay-Nantucket Sound-Vineyard Sound-
Buzzards Bay-Rhode Island Sound-Narragansett Bay-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-
432 AM EST Fri Jan 28 2022

...STORM WARNING IN EFFECT FROM 4 AM SATURDAY TO MIDNIGHT EST
SATURDAY NIGHT...

This Hazardous Weather Outlook is for Massachusetts 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.

.DAYS TWO THROUGH SEVEN...Saturday through Thursday.

Please listen to NOAA Weather Radio or go to weather.gov on the
Internet for more information about the following hazards.

   Storm Warning.

.SPOTTER INFORMATION STATEMENT...

Spotter activation is not expected at this time.

For more information on upcoming hazardous weather, please see the
Area Forecast Discussion on our webpage for the latest forecast
thinking. There is also our Enhanced Hazardous Weather Outlook at
www.weather.gov/box/ehwo

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 radar

The national radar mosaic for the moment the first event began.

Open the radar archive at this moment

Event by event

8 blizzard, 6 heavy snow, 6 winter storm, 5 coastal flood. Local standard time, as filed.

Heavy Snow, Northern Worcester

When
January 28, 9:00 AM EST to January 29, 11:00 PM EST
Where
Northern Worcester forecast zone
Reported by
Amateur Radio
Coordinates
42.351, -71.908 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

Snowfall generally ranged from 5 to 15 inches. Highest amounts were to the southeast with 12 to 15 inches and the least to the northwest with 5 to 9 inches. The highest amount reported was 15 inches in Leicester.

Heavy Snow, Western Middlesex

When
January 28, 9:00 AM EST to January 29, 11:00 PM EST
Where
Western Middlesex forecast zone
Reported by
Amateur Radio
Coordinates
42.486, -71.392 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

Snowfall ranged from 11 to 17 inches. The highest amount was 17 inches in Lowell.

Blizzard, Western Essex

When
January 28, 9:00 AM EST to January 29, 11:00 PM EST
Where
Western Essex forecast zone
Reported by
ASOS
Coordinates
42.639, -70.868 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

At the Lawrence Airport ASOS (KLWM) blizzard conditions occurred from 1254 PM EST to 245 PM EST. The highest gust was 47 mph at 142 PM EST. Generally 9 to 18 inches of snow fell. The highest amount was 18 inches in North Andover.

Blizzard, Eastern Essex

When
January 28, 9:00 AM EST to January 29, 11:00 PM EST
Where
Eastern Essex forecast zone
Property damage
$500
Reported by
ASOS
Coordinates
42.639, -70.868 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

The Beverly Airport ASOS (KBVY) med blizzard conditions from 853 AM EST to 1153 AM EST, from 1225 PM EST to 201 PM EST, from 253 PM EST to 353 PM EST, and from 453 PM EST to 526 PM EST. The highest gust from KBVY was 63 mph at 232 PM EST. The highest gust in the zone was 76 mph at 125 PM EST in Rockport. Winds generally gusted from 40 to 65 mph. Snowfall generally ranged from 14 to 21 inches. The highest amount was 21 inches reported in Danvers. In Essex at 128 PM EST power lines were down on Route 133 northbound.

Heavy Snow, Eastern Hampshire

When
January 28, 9:00 AM EST to January 29, 11:00 PM EST
Where
Eastern Hampshire forecast zone
Reported by
Trained Spotter
Coordinates
42.340, -72.664 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

Snowfall generally ranged from 3 to 9 inches. The greatest totals were in the eastern portions of the zone with the least snow in the western portions. The highest report was 9 inches in Granby.

Heavy Snow, Eastern Hampden

When
January 28, 9:00 AM EST to January 29, 11:00 PM EST
Where
Eastern Hampden forecast zone
Reported by
Amateur Radio
Coordinates
42.135, -72.632 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

Snowfall generally ranged from 3 to 9 inches. The highest amounts were in the eastern portions of the zone with lesser amounts in the western portion. The highest total was 9 inches reported in Wilbraham.

Blizzard, Southern Worcester

When
January 28, 9:00 AM EST to January 29, 11:00 PM EST
Where
Southern Worcester forecast zone
Reported by
ASOS
Coordinates
42.351, -71.908 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

The Worcester Airport ASOS (KORH) reported blizzard conditions from 749 AM EST to 405 PM EST. The highest gust from from the Worcester ASOS (KORH) which gusted to 51 mph at 1030 AM EST. Snowfall generally ranged from 5 to 18 inches. The highest snowfall amount was 18.7 inches in Upton.

Winter Storm, Western Norfolk

When
January 28, 9:00 AM EST to January 29, 11:00 PM EST
Where
Western Norfolk forecast zone
Reported by
Trained Spotter
Coordinates
42.171, -71.184 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

Snowfall generally ranged from 15 to 24 inches. The highest amount was 24.6 inches reported in Dover.

Winter Storm, Western Norfolk

When
January 28, 9:00 AM EST to January 29, 11:00 PM EST
Where
Western Norfolk forecast zone
Reported by
Trained Spotter
Coordinates
42.171, -71.184 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

Snowfall generally ranged from 15 to 24 inches. The highest amount was 24.6 inches reported in Dover. Winds gusted 40 to 50 mph with the highest gust to 50 mph at 1025 AM EST in Wrentham.

Winter Storm, Southeast Middlesex

When
January 28, 9:00 AM EST to January 29, 11:00 PM EST
Where
Southeast Middlesex forecast zone
Reported by
Amateur Radio
Coordinates
42.486, -71.392 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

Snowfall generally ranged from 11 inches to 19 inches. The highest amount was 19.1 inches reported in Lexington. Winds gusted 35 to 45 mph with the strongest gusts to 54 mph at 155 PM EST in Medford and 47 mph at 1102 AM EST at Lake Quannapowitt in Wakefield.

Blizzard, Suffolk

When
January 28, 9:00 AM EST to January 29, 11:00 PM EST
Where
Suffolk forecast zone
Reported by
ASOS
Coordinates
42.264, -71.125 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

The Boston Logan Airport ASOS (KBOS) reported blizzard conditions from 815 AM EST to 354 PM EST. The highest gust at KBOS was 47 mph at 1126 AM EST. Winds generally gusted 40 to 45 mph. Snowfall ranged from 13 inches to 23.8 inches. The highest amount reported was 23.8 inches in Boston.

Winter Storm, Eastern Norfolk

When
January 28, 9:00 AM EST to January 29, 11:00 PM EST
Where
Eastern Norfolk forecast zone
Reported by
Amateur Radio
Coordinates
42.171, -71.184 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

Snowfall generally ranged from 21 to 27 inches. The highest amount reported was 27.6 inches at the Blue Hill Observatory. Winds generally gusted 40 to 50 mph with the highest gust being 46 mph at 0751 AM EST and 0759 AM EST in Weymouth.

Winter Storm, Northern Bristol

When
January 28, 9:00 AM EST to January 29, 11:00 PM EST
Where
Northern Bristol forecast zone
Reported by
ASOS
Coordinates
41.757, -71.088 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

Snowfall generally ranged from 18 inches to 24 inches. The highest snowfall report was 24 inches at the NWS office in Norton. Winds gusted generally 40 to 55 mph with the strongest gust being 71 mph at 1133 AM at the Taunton Airport ASOS (KTAN).

Heavy Snow, Western Plymouth

When
January 28, 9:00 AM EST to January 29, 11:00 PM EST
Where
Western Plymouth forecast zone
Reported by
Amateur Radio
Coordinates
41.987, -70.737 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

Generally 15 to 25 inches of snow fell. The highest amount reported was 25 inches in Bridgewater.

Blizzard, Eastern Plymouth

When
January 28, 9:00 AM EST to January 29, 11:00 PM EST
Where
Eastern Plymouth forecast zone
Property damage
$3,000
Reported by
Fire Department/Rescue
Coordinates
42.079, -70.960 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

The Marshfield Airport's ASOS (KGHG) reported blizzard conditions from 435 AM EST to 315 PM EST and again from 415 PM EST to 515 PM EST. KGHG reported a gust to 60 mph at 135 PM EST and the Plymouth Airport ASOS (KPYM) gusted to 55 mph at 653 AM EST. The strongest gust was 65 mph in Hull at 908 AM EST. Snowfall was generally from 18 to 23 inches. The highest amount reported was 23 inches in Hingham. In Hanson at 450 AM EST a tree was down on wires on Cross St. In Plymouth at 637 AM EST powerlines were down on South Russell St in Plymouth. In Duxbury at 736 AM EST there was a large tree down on wires on Congress St at Union St. In Marshfield at 1206 AM EST 1 inch tree limbs were broken and shingles were blown off.

Winter Storm, Southern Bristol

When
January 28, 9:00 AM EST to January 29, 11:00 PM EST
Where
Southern Bristol forecast zone
Reported by
Amateur Radio
Coordinates
41.757, -71.088 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

Snowfall was generally from 17 to 22 inches. Winds generally gusted 40 to 50 mph. The New Bedford Airport ASOS (KEWB) met blizzard criteria for a total of 2 hours and 30 minutes but there was a nearly 3 hour gap in the conditions.

Heavy Snow, Southern Plymouth

When
January 28, 9:00 AM EST to January 29, 11:00 PM EST
Where
Southern Plymouth forecast zone
Reported by
Amateur Radio
Coordinates
41.987, -70.737 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

Snowfall was generally between 20 and 23 inches. The highest report was 23.4 inches in Wareham.

Blizzard, Barnstable

When
January 28, 9:00 AM EST to January 29, 11:00 PM EST
Where
Barnstable forecast zone
Property damage
$2,000
Reported by
ASOS
Coordinates
41.684, -70.274 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

The Hyannis Airport ASOS (KHYA) reported blizzard conditions from 704 AM EST to 1232 PM EST, but then reporting was interrupted until later in the afternoon. Blizzard conditions resumed from 505 PM EST to 539 PM EST and from 548 PM EST to 619 PM EST. Some of the strongest winds reported were 81 mph in West Dennis at 1237 PM EST, 73 mph at Hatch Beach in Eastham at 1056 PM EST, 72 mph in Chatham at 1011 AM EST, and 72 mph in Dennis at 1146 AM EST. Snowfall amounts ranged from 7 to 17 inches. The highest amount reported was 16.8 inches in Falmouth. In Barnstable at 950 AM EST a tree was down across Route 6A at Salt Meadow Ln. In Yarmouth at 1023 AM EST power lines were down on Route 6A west bound and eastbound at 322 Main St. In Eastham at 1045 AM EST power lines were down across Route 6A. In Brewster at 1115 AM EST a downed powerline was across Route 6A.

Blizzard, Dukes

When
January 28, 9:00 AM EST to January 29, 11:00 PM EST
Where
Dukes forecast zone
Reported by
ASOS
Coordinates
41.389, -70.699 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

The Martha's Vineyard Airport ASOS (KMVY) reported blizzard conditions from 743 AM EST to 500 PM EST. The strongest gust reported by KMVY was 60 mph at 1005 AM EST. The strongest gust on Martha's Vineyard was 67 mph reported at Vineyard Station at 1151 AM EST. Snowfall ranged from 10 to 18 inches. The highest amount was 18 inches in West Tisbury.

Blizzard, Northwest Middlesex County

When
January 28, 9:00 AM EST to January 29, 11:00 PM EST
Where
Northwest Middlesex County forecast zone
Reported by
Amateur Radio
Coordinates
42.486, -71.392 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

Snowfall ranged from 7 to 10 inches.

Coastal Flood, Eastern Plymouth

When
January 29, 6:00 AM EST to 11:00 AM EST
Where
Eastern Plymouth forecast zone
Reported by
Law Enforcement
Coordinates
42.079, -70.960 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

In Scituate at 630 AM EST there was water coming over the roadway on Lighthouse Road and Rebecca Rd. In Plymouth at 730 AM EST Warren Ave was closed due to coastal flooding. In Cohasset at 833 AM EST Margin St at Elm St and Howard Gleason Rd were flooded and impassable. In Marshfield at 949 AM EST there was flooding on Ocean St/Route 139 in the Brant Rock area. In Plymouth at 1230 PM EST Route 3A was closed near Clifford Rd due to flooding.

Coastal Flood, Eastern Essex

When
January 29, 8:00 AM EST to 10:00 AM EST
Where
Eastern Essex forecast zone
Reported by
Amateur Radio
Coordinates
42.639, -70.868 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

In Ipswich at 830 AM EST Jeffrey's Neck Rd, Argilla Rd, Water St, Island Park Rd, and Town Farm Rd were all impassable due to flooding.

Coastal Flood, Dukes

When
January 29, 8:00 AM EST to 10:00 AM EST
Where
Dukes forecast zone
Reported by
Trained Spotter
Coordinates
41.389, -70.699 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

In Oak Bluffs at 810 AM EST Seaview Ave was closed due to flooding. In Tisbury at 825 AM EST roads were closed due to flooding at Five Corners.

Coastal Flood, Nantucket

When
January 29, 8:00 AM EST to 10:00 AM EST
Where
Nantucket forecast zone
Reported by
Public
Coordinates
41.270, -70.022 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

In Nantucket at 815 AM EST Easy St and Washington St were flooded and impassable due to coastal flooding.

Coastal Flood, Barnstable

When
January 29, 9:00 AM EST to 11:00 AM EST
Where
Barnstable forecast zone
Reported by
Amateur Radio
Coordinates
41.684, -70.274 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

In Sandwich at 1005 AM EST Route 6A at the Sandwich-Barnstable line at High St was experiencing flooding enough to make the road break up. Also, at 1107 AM EST Route 6A was impassable from the Barnstable line was impassable due to inundation.

What these are

Heavy Snow
Snowfall reaching the local warning threshold without the other hazards of a winter storm.
Blizzard
Sustained winds or frequent gusts of 35 mph or more with falling or blowing snow that cuts visibility below a quarter mile for three hours or longer.
Winter Storm
A storm that brought snow, sleet or freezing rain at warning levels, usually over several hours or days.
Coastal Flood
Flooding of coastal land by the sea, from storm surge, onshore wind or high tides.

After NWS Directive 10-1605, the rules offices file Storm Data by.

The same day elsewhere

More

Every storm in Massachusetts in 2022Every state in 2022This day in weather historyWarnings in Massachusetts, January 2022

Sources

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: 1002594, 1002597, 1002599, 1002600, 1002601, 1002603, 1002604, 1002605, 1002606, 1002607, 1002608, 1002613, 1002615, 1002772, 1002773, 1002774, 1002776, 1002780, 1002781, 1002783, 1002839, 1002844, 1002847, 1002848, 1002843.