Recapping the Coastal Storm, Looking Ahead to New Years Weekend

Maine took the brunt of this winter storm with widespread 1-2'.  Carroll County in NH was the big winner in the Granite State with most locals reporting 12-18".  The storm did disappoint in Western NH and Vermont thanks to its rapid forward motion.  That rapid forward motion also eliminated any chance for the 2-4" I called for as the rain finished as snow last night.  I should have just stuck to my coating up to 2" after the storm.  Northern Worcester County did well as Fitchburg clinched the MA State Title with 10.8" for this storm.  Congratulations to the Red Raiders on the well deserved honor.

Worcester and Hartford (Hartford is measured in Windsor Locks, CT at the airport) are pace for an average to above average snow season.  Providence and Boston are currently bringing up the rear.  This has been the trend for snowfall this season.  Lows cut to our west and switch snow over to rain in the Coastal Plain.   Ocean temps are still running in the mid 40's so any easterly wind off the water is a snow killer.  The low is now in Northern Maine and is exiting the New England weather stage.

WPC Surface Analysis 7 AM

As the low departs and high pressure builds winds will occasionally gust to 45 MPH out of the west northwest.  The National Weather Service has issued a *Wind Advisory* until 5 PM tonight.

NWS Headlines Friday 12/30/2016

Max temperatures will climb into the mid 30's amid mostly sunny skies.  The winds will make it feel like temperatures in the low 20's so please be aware of that.  Winds drop a little bit tonight but they will still gust to 30 out of west.  With air temperatures in the low 20's wind chills will dip into the teens/single digits.  Clouds will increase tomorrow but the day will be dry.   Winds flip to the south and temperatures rise into the mid 30's.  A disturbance will pass through Northern New England New Years Eve night.

WPC Surface Fronts/Precipitation Saturday 7 PM

1-2" is possible between 6 PM and midnight in Worcester County.  Some light rain is likely in the coastal plain as temperatures are marginal for snow.  Temperatures on Sunday are right around 40 with calm, sunny weather.

-Zack Green