Blizzard Warning Issued for Eastern Massachusetts and Rhode Island: 1 to 2 Feet of Snow Expected

Alert Details

The National Weather Service in Boston/Norton MA has issued a Blizzard Warning for portions of eastern, northeastern, and southeastern Massachusetts, as well as northern and southern Rhode Island. The alert is effective starting Sunday afternoon and remains in place until Tuesday morning.

Affected Areas

The warning covers a broad region including the Boston to Providence corridor. Specific areas under the warning include:

• Massachusetts: Eastern Essex, Western Norfolk, Southeast Middlesex, Suffolk, Eastern Norfolk, Northern Bristol, Western Plymouth, Eastern Plymouth, Southern Bristol, Southern Plymouth, Barnstable, and Dukes.
• Rhode Island: Northwest Providence, Southeast Providence, Western Kent, Eastern Kent, Bristol, Washington, Newport, and Block Island.

Expected Conditions

Severe winter weather is anticipated throughout the warning period:

• Snow Accumulation: Total snow accumulations are expected to reach between 1 and 2 feet.
• Wind Speeds: Winds are forecast to gust as high as 60 mph.
• Visibility: Visibilities may drop below 1/4 mile due to falling and blowing snow. Whiteout conditions are expected, making travel treacherous and potentially life-threatening.
• Infrastructure Impacts: The weight of snow on tree limbs combined with strong winds may down power lines and cause power outages.

Timeline

The Blizzard Warning is in effect from 4:00 PM EST Sunday, February 22, until 7:00 AM EST Tuesday, February 24. The hazardous conditions are expected to significantly impact both the Monday morning and evening commutes.

What You Should Do

Travel should be restricted to emergencies only. If you must travel, ensure you have a winter survival kit with you in your vehicle. If you become stranded, stay with your vehicle. Residents should prepare for difficult to impossible travel conditions and the potential for tree damage and power outages.