Bay State takes trip into the freezer
Frigid air arrives Friday, with snowstorm possible next week
After the coldest air of the winter brings Arctic subzero wind chills to Massachusetts on Friday and Saturday, meteorologists will have their eyes on a possible “sizable snowstorm” hitting the region early next week.
Forecasters are still trying to hammer down the track of the system, as the storm’s energy remains sitting over the Pacific Ocean on Wednesday.
“There’s definite potential for a storm early next week,” said National Weather Service meteorologist Bill Leatham, who’s based in NWS’ Norton office. “It’s still real early for specific details, but depending on the track of the system, it could cause some travel impacts.
“We should have a better idea when we get into the weekend with what we’ll see with the system,” he added.
Shawn Kelley of Lowell’s Mill City Weather said he’s keeping a close eye on the Monday-to-Tuesday timeframe.
“Given the pattern and storm track, the chance is there for a sizable snowstorm,” Kelley said.
Before that possible storm early next week, the coldest air of the season is expected to arrive in Massachusetts late Thursday and last through Saturday.
By Friday morning, temps will be in the single digits across much of the Bay State’s interior — and even below zero in parts of the Berkshires.
“It will be pretty windy too, so the combination of the winds and cold temperatures will make it feel downright cold,” Leatham said.
Wind chills in the interior will plunge into the negative teens, and wind chills along the coastline will be in the negative single digits. “Folks who have to be outside should be dressing appropriately,” Leatham said.
The frigid air will remain in place for Saturday.
“It should be fairly breezy, but the winds shouldn’t be as strong going into Saturday,” Leatham said. “It will still be another cold morning, so make sure to be dressed appropriately. The wind chill should make it feel like single digits above to below zero.”
The region will experience a “warm-up” Saturday afternoon — with temps “soaring” into the 20s and into the teens in higher elevations.
Massachusetts Emergency Management Agency on Wednesday warned residents about the cold temps and brutal wind chills.
“Plan accordingly — Keep pets indoors, limit time outside, watch for signs of frostbite, check on neighbors, & use alternate heat sources safely,” the Massachusetts Emergency Management Agency tweeted.
After the frigid air leaves, forecasters will turn to a possible storm watch.
National Weather Service Boston tweeted, “… more significant #snow and/or wintry mix is possible late Sunday into early next week. Way too early for details, but needs to be watched.”