Nor'easter coming to the South Shore. How much snow will we get?

David R. Smith, The Patriot Ledger

Is there anything more New England than going from record highs Saturday to a winter storm warning just a few days later?

That will be the case this week, as a forecasted nor'easter Tuesday could quickly dump several inches of snow along the South Shore before moving out by early evening, according to the National Weather Service.

Timing and expected impact

A winter weather warning will be in effect from 1 a.m. Tuesday, Feb. 13, to 1 a.m. Wednesday, Feb. 14, for much of the state, including Norfolk and Plymouth counties, which the National Weather Service said could get snow totals from 4 to 8 inches.

The storm is expected to begin overnight Tuesday as a mix of snow and rain before becoming all snow Tuesday morning.

A fast-moving nor'easter is expected to dump as much as a foot of snow in the state Tuesday, Feb. 13.
A fast-moving nor'easter is expected to dump as much as a foot of snow in the state Tuesday, Feb. 13.

"Travel could be very difficult with snowfall rates of 1 to 2 inches per hour at times. Areas of blowing snow could significantly reduce visibility," the National Weather Service said. "The hazardous conditions will particularly impact the Tuesday morning commute."

The heaviest snow is expected to fall from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m., the agency said.

Nor'easter will bring high winds

Wind will also be an issue throughout the storm, with wind speeds of 22 to 28 mph projected and gusts as high as 40 mph or more, according to the National Weather Service.

Conditions are expected to improve late Tuesday afternoon and into the evening. Any new snow accumulation during that period will likely be less than an inch, according to the National Weather Service, which said the winds will die down to 13 to 20 mph.

Do I need to cancel my Valentine's Day plans?

While the snow will still be on the ground come Valentine's Day on Wednesday, the weather will be mostly sunny with a high near 33 and no further snowfall expected.

Coastal flood warning

Brant Rock could be flooded yet again during this week's winter storm.
Brant Rock could be flooded yet again during this week's winter storm.

A coastal flood warning will be in effect from noon to 5 p.m. Tuesday. An astronomical high tide Tuesday afternoon will contribute to the above-normal wave surges that are expected to bring 1 to 2 feet of water inundation in areas such as Scituate and Brant Rock in Marshfield, both of which have already experienced damaging flooding this winter.

How is the rest of Massachusetts expected to fare?

Much of the state will get up to a foot of snow, according to the National Weather Service. Cape Cod and the Islands will likely get 2 to 8 inches and wind gusts of up to 60 mph.

Track the storm's impact: Severe weather alerts and warnings

The Cape is under a coastal flood warning, a winter storm watch and a high wind warning.

The South Coast area is expected to get 4 to 10 inches of snow and some flooding, the National Weather Service said.

What’s the difference between a winter storm watch and a warning?

A “watch” covers a broad region and is an advisory to start preparing for a storm in the coming days. A “warning” covers a smaller area and is a notice that storm activity is happening very soon.

South Shore school cancellations

As of late Monday morning, no schools along the South Shore have posted snow day cancellations for Tuesday. Cancellations will be updated here as any announcements come in.

Stay informed: Online power outage tracker

How should I prepare for a snowstorm?

  • Make sure you have enough food, water and medication to last at least a few days, in case driving is difficult afterward.

  • Keep your cars full of gas to keep the fuel line from freezing.

  • Have enough rock salt or ice melter and some sand or non-clumping cat litter on hand to provide traction on your sidewalk or driveway.

  • Have an emergency kit with flashlights, batteries and extra blankets in case your house loses electricity.

  • When it comes time to shovel, go slowly and take frequent breaks. If you’re using a snowblower, always keep your hands and feet clear of the blades.

  • Make sure fire hydrants and furnace and clothes dryer vents are clear of snow.

Emergency numbers to know

To report a downed power line, medical, fire or other emergencies, dial 911.

  • Eversource: 800-592-2000

  • National Grid: 800-465-1212

  • Verizon: 800-VERIZON

  • Comcast: 800-XFINITY

This article originally appeared on The Patriot Ledger: Nor'easter expected to dump snow, cause flooding on South Shore

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