Upton area to see heaviest snowfall during morning commute

by Meteorologist Jeb Postle

Alerts: A winter storm warning is in effect from 9 PM tonight through 1 AM Tuesday, for a combination of heavy snow and strong winds that will result in blowing snow and cold wind chills.

Snow Prediction: 8-15”

Overview: A storm system, currently moving through the Ohio River valley will eventually move off the coast of the Mid Atlantic- Northeastern United states by Monday. As the storm does so, it will strengthen with the aid of the jet stream.

At the same time, a ridge of high pressure will build in across the south central United States. The combination of the storm pulling out and ridge of high pressure building in from the south and west will help funnel arctic air into the region on Tuesday and Wednesday.

Impacts: With the heaviest snow expected to move in during the morning commute and lasting into the afternoon hours, this will lead to many schools and businesses closing tomorrow. If you have to do any traveling tomorrow, please use extra caution as snow will be coming down at a good clip, along with a drop in visibility. Second, winds are forecasted to pick up Monday morning and last into early Tuesday morning. This will create some blowing snow and also contribute to producing cold wind chills late on Monday into Tuesday morning. With temperatures forecasted to drop to around 0 degrees Tuesday morning, wind chills will easily be below zero. Make sure to bundle up if cleaning up from the snow tomorrow night or Tuesday morning.

Forecast Timeline:

Sunday: Partly cloudy skies in the morning, then increasing clouds in the afternoon. High temperature around 24F. Winds form the northwest at 5-10 mph. Snow developing between 1-4 AM. Snowfall amounts between 2-5”. Low temperature around 7F. Winds from the northwest switching to from the east-northeast at 5-10 mph.

Monday, February 2nd: Mostly cloudy with periods of moderate to heavy snow. Snowfall amounts between 5-9”. High temperature around 25F. Winds from the east-northeast switching to form the north at 15-20 mph, with wind gusts above 30 mph likely.

Monday Night: Mostly cloudy during the evening with a chance of snow. Snow moving out between 10 PM to 1 AM. Some gradually clearing afterward. Snowfall amount around 1”. Cold. Low temperature around -2F. Winds from the north-northwest at 15-20 mph, with wind gusts above 30 mph likely.

Tuesday, February 3rd: Mostly sunny Cold. High temperature around 13F. Winds from the west-southwest at 5-10 mph.

Go Patriots!