Meteorologists were warning that the powerful storm could spark power outages in parts of Massachusetts, as utility companies gear up for the early April nor’easter.

For the parts of Massachusetts where snow is predicted, the best chance for accumulating snowfall will be Wednesday night. The snow will be wet and dense, potentially leading to downed trees and power outages.

“The snow concerns will be for the higher elevations,” Bryce Williams, meteorologist at the National Weather Service’s Boston office, told the Herald.

“The Worcester Hills and northern Massachusetts could see some plowable snow,” he added. “The highest elevations could get 6 to 8 inches of snow.”

The National Weather Service issued a “Winter Storm Watch” for northern Worcester and northern Middlesex counties, along with western Franklin and western Hampshire counties.

Heavy wet snow and sleet will be possible.

“Total snow and sleet accumulations of 2 to 4 inches, with up to 8 inches near the state border with New Hampshire,” NWS warned. “Winds could gust as high as 55 mph.

“Plan on slippery road conditions,” NWS added. “The hazardous conditions could impact the morning or evening commute. Gusty winds could bring down tree branches.”

Elsewhere in the Bay State, meteorologists are forecasting significant rainfall of 1.5 to 3 inches.

“Some rivers could see some minor flooding,” Williams said.

The strongest wind gusts are expected to occur from midday Wednesday to midday Thursday. Gusts in the 50 mph range are likely.

“Power outages are possible, especially where wet snow accumulates on power lines and trees,” Williams said.

National Grid and Eversource said they were preparing for the storm.

“National Grid is closely monitoring the weather forecast, and we have crews and personnel in place across Massachusetts ready to respond to any impacts this storm may bring,” said Tim Moore, VP of Electric Operations for New England. “We’ll be ready to restore service as quickly and safely as possible. If outages occur, our crews will work to restore the power systems as soon as it is safe to do so.”

Eversource also said the utility company was pre-positioning hundreds of crews and materials to respond to any storm damage.

Another threat from the nor’easter will be coastal flooding, especially around the time of the Thursday morning high tide on the eastern Massachusetts coast.

“There will be some nasty conditions, with 15 to 20 foot waves,” Williams said.

A “Coastal Flood Watch” will be in effect for the eastern Massachusetts coast, including Morrissey Boulevard in Boston.

Old Man Winter just doesn’t want to call it quits for the season, as a nasty nor’easter is set to blast Massachusetts with several inches of snow for parts of the region.

The strong storm, which is expected to start Tuesday night and stay until Thursday, will likely deliver powerful gusty winds and drop buckets of rain on most areas. There will be a threat for power outages, along with river flooding and coastal flooding concerns.

It looks like all rain for the Boston-area, while the National Weather Service’s greatest confidence for snow accumulation is across the northern Worcester Hills and northern Berkshires.

NWS has issued a “Winter Storm Watch” for western Franklin and western Hampshire counties, where meteorologists are forecasting a chance for more than 7 inches of snow.

“As you go out west into the higher elevations, wet snow will fall especially on Wednesday night,” NWS Boston meteorologist Andy Nash told the Herald.

“There could be a few inches across the Worcester Hills,” he added. “The higher you are, the more snow there could be. Also, wet snow could be sticking to trees and power lines, which could result in some power problems.”

Very windy conditions, with gusts in the 50 mph range, adds to the power outage potential.

Winds should peak Wednesday night into Thursday, especially for the eastern Massachusetts coast and in the higher terrain.

As for northern Worcester County, the chance for more than 3 inches of snow is between 50% and 70% based off model estimates. In the city of Worcester, there’s a 25% chance for up to an inch of snow.

Outside of the higher elevations, the rain is expected to begin Tuesday afternoon, with the heaviest coming down Wednesday and Wednesday night.

“It’s a fairly long duration storm, and when it all comes to an end on Thursday, the Boston-area is looking at upwards of a couple inches of rain,” Nash said.

Saturated ground and swollen rivers from recent heavy rain could lead to urban or poor drainage flooding, with a renewed risk for minor river flooding.

Also, there will be a chance for coastal flooding around the Wednesday evening and Thursday morning high tides. The greatest potential on the eastern Massachusetts coast will be Thursday morning. In Boston Harbor, high tide takes place at around 6:35 a.m. on Thursday.

Meanwhile, parts of New Hampshire and Maine could be in store for a whopper of a snow storm. More than 18 inches of snow will be possible in northern New England from the April nor’easter.

“Visibilities may drop below 1/4 mile due to falling and blowing snow,” NWS warns. “The strong winds and weight of snow on tree limbs may down power lines and could cause scattered to numerous power outages. Significant snowfall and periods of heavy snowfall rates will combine with low visibility to create very dangerous driving conditions.”

High elevation regions like the Berkshires and northern Worcester County have upwards of a 50% chance of seeing a foot of snowfall midweek, NWS Meteorologist Torry Dooley told the Herald.

There is a 60% to 70% chance those regions see six inches or more by Thursday, according to the forecaster.

“There is some possibility for some significant snow,” Dooley said.

The rest of the state will probably just get wet for most of the week, he said, though there is a chance the Boston region sees some wintery mix that does not stick around after falling.

“These systems during the off seasons are always difficult, because there isn’t really much cold air locked in place,” he said. “It’s really marginal temperatures for snow to accumulate.”

Monday will see highs in the mid-50s and could be rainy but won’t be a total washout, according to the meteorologist. Most of the rain that does fall will be felt south of Boston and around the Cape, he said. Overnight temperatures fall just below 40 degrees.

The mercury only climbs into the mid-40s on Tuesday and rain showers are possible in the afternoon, Dooley said. NWS predicts up to an inch of rain is possible with a 30% chance of precipitation. The chance of rain increases steadily overnight and rain becomes likely after 3 a.m. Wednesday.

It will be chilly, windy, and wet on Wednesday, with a 90% chance of rain, highs barely reaching into the low-40s and gusts up to 40 mph possible. Overnight lows stay above freezing for most of the state but could fall below 30 degrees in high elevations and bring the snow along, Dooley said.

Rain is likely Thursday, according to the weather service, when there is a 70% chance of precipitation and more gusty wind forecast. High temperatures will hover in the low-40s through the day before falling close to freezing overnight.

The clouds part somewhat and the chance of rain falls to 30% by Friday, when the temperature is expected to climb back into the mid-40s. Similar conditions are called for Saturday. Sunday could bring mid-50s temps under sunny skies.

“There’s really no good way to sugar coat: we have another active weather week ahead with rain Tuesday through Thursday night,” Dooley said.

There is some concern another week of rainfall could lead to flooding, Dooley said, and the weather service will be monitoring the river and stream levels to determine if weather advisories are required. NWS will likely have a snowfall map available later this week, he said.

Just as the calendar flips to April after a snowless March, there’s a chance for some snow. That’s New England for you.

The National Weather Service’s Boston office is tracking the potential for a coastal storm next week, which could drop some snow across parts of Massachusetts.

The forecast is still very uncertain for next Tuesday through Thursday, but it appears that another strong low-pressure system will likely bring a multi-day precipitation event to the region.

“There’s the potential for a coastal storm with rain and wet snow,” Hayden Frank, meteorologist at the National Weather Service’s Boston office, told the Herald on Friday.

“It looks like it will be chilly with rain and/or wet snow at times,” Frank added. “A lot of the details are uncertain at this point.”

April snow storms are definitely not unheard of for Massachusetts.

Back in 1997 on April Fools’ Day, a blizzard buried the region with more than two feet of snow.

“It doesn’t happen every year, but we’ve had several April snow storms,” Frank said. “April snow isn’t something that’s completely abnormal for us.”

Boston has only recorded a trace of snow throughout all of March, and the city is well below normal for the winter.

The city has received only 9.7 inches of snow since December — breaking down 0.2 inches in December, 9 inches in January, and 0.5 inches in February.

The total of 9.7 inches of snow is 37.5 inches below normal for the last three decades in Boston. The average at this point is 47.2 inches of snow.

Before the possible snow, the weekend looks like it will be mainly dry with some sunshine. High temps should be in the 50s amid some windy conditions.

Noyes and his wife Danielle, also a meteorologist, plan on launching a weather website and app to “meet the public where they’re at,” he told the Herald on Thursday as he took a trip down memory lane while looking ahead.

On Wednesday, Noyes said goodbye to his NBC10 and NECN family after more than two decades there.

“It’s been a crazy 24 hours,” Noyes told the Herald. “Folks have been surprised but very supportive, which is lovely.

“It’s a nervous time, but at the same time it’s an exciting chance at a new beginning,” he added. “It was very amicable and a wonderful ending to a great career there.”

So what’s next for Noyes? He shared that he’ll be heading into the digital-first weather market with his wife, who has been freelancing with NBC10 Boston — and who previously competed against Noyes when she was with WBZ.

The couple is planning on launching a weather website and app.

Noyes cited a recent YouGov poll that showed only 43% of respondents turned to local TV news for weather information, while 53% of people used an app. However, only 34% of respondents found those apps to be very accurate.

“There’s been a huge shift in the way people consume weather information,” Noyes said. “And my mission statement since college has been wanting to deliver the best forecast possible to the greatest number of people possible.

“Local TV is still critically important, but I’m going to stick with my mission statement and pivot to follow the viewers,” he added. “We’re going to launch a digital entity, and meet the public where they’re at.”

Noyes didn’t reveal the name of the website and app, but that should be shared soon.

“My focus has always been on Boston and New England, and that will remain my primary focus,” the Haverhill native said. “At the same time, it’s not a far leap to build a national data set, so we will end up bringing this to a national level as well.”

While Noyes was looking toward the future, he also reflected on some of the most memorable storms during his time at NECN and NBC10 Boston.

The “most impactful event” was the June, 1, 2011 tornado in western Massachusetts. That destructive storm was the strongest tornado in nearly 60 years to rip through the Bay State.

“That was a scary day for a lot of folks,” he said. “We were ready for it, and tracked it at the street level, and people really appreciated that.”

When Noyes first arrived at NECN, he never imagined working a snow storm like the Blizzard of ’78. Since he started in Boston, multiple storms have dumped higher one-day snow totals — including on Jan. 29, 2022 and Feb. 17, 2003.

“We’ve outdone the single storm snow record, the 24-hour snow record, the coastal flooding record,” Noyes said, noting the significant impact of climate change. “It has not happened all at one time, but we’re living through a period of historic weather now.”

There was also the 2015 winter snow blitz when storm after storm pounded the region.

“We had a seasonal snow record, but it didn’t start until the end of January,” he said. “That was incredible.”

Noyes also looked back on the deluge of rain that sparked severe flooding along the Merrimack River in the mid-2000s, along with tracking Hurricane Irene in August 2011.

There was also the big “wintercane” storm on Dec. 9, 2005. The monster delivered 100-plus mph winds to Cape Cod, where not much snow fell, while 9 inches fell in Boston and about 13 inches fell in Worcester.

Noyes said, “There have been these extreme events that when I started my career, I thought I’d see one of these happen, not thinking I’d see all of these happen over the last 20 years.”

25 years ago I knew my career mission: deliver the best weather info possible to as many people as possible. Thank you, Boston & New England, & NBC Boston/NECN, for an incredible ride. A lot has changed in two decades – I'm excited to make the necessary change, to stay with you. pic.twitter.com/b9qiZtWp0d

— Matt Noyes (@MattNBCBoston) March 28, 2024

NBC10 Boston meteorologist Matt Noyes announced on Wednesday that he’s leaving the station.

Noyes joined the NBC10 Boston and NECN family in 2002, and he has been a staple during weekday morning broadcasts — becoming a part of families’ morning routines before work and school.

“Twenty-plus years goes faster than you could ever imagine, right?” Noyes said during his goodbye to colleagues and viewers on Wednesday’s broadcast. “I came to Boston, 23 years old. Some folks believed I wouldn’t even have a successful career in this biz, right?

“But you folks put trust in me and everyone at home put the trust in me and in our team, and the rest is history,” he added. “So thank you to everybody who watches, of course.”

Many viewers on social media were immediately asking where Noyes is heading next, but he didn’t reveal his plans right away.

“I won’t be going far,” Noyes said. “You’ll still be able to find me.

“But at the same time, you know, I’m going to miss being with you every morning,” he added.

Noyes certainly won’t miss waking up in the middle of the night for the early morning broadcasts, he noted.

Goodbye @MattNBCBoston! We will miss you! pic.twitter.com/0DFgUNi4C7

— NBC10 Boston (@NBC10Boston) March 27, 2024

Morning anchor Raul Martinez called it a “bittersweet day” for the NBC10 Boston and NECN family.

“I’m not crying, Matt. You’re crying,” said meteorologist Pete Bouchard in a farewell video. “This is a bittersweet goodbye. I know it’s gonna be tough, and I know your heart is so big it has room for weather and your family. But family takes precedence, as you know.”

Noyes, a Haverhill native, is a member of both the American Meteorological Society and the National Weather Association.

“He has always believed in offering the viewer more — from first delivering regular, hour-by-hour rain/snow maps in the Boston market to pioneering our exclusive 10-day forecast,” reads his NBC10 profile.

“Matt’s community work has earned him several awards for dedication to local municipalities and organizations, as well as the Massachusetts State Police Public Service Award for assisting in preparation for a major hurricane strike to New England,” his profile reads.

In addition to his forecasting experience, he has been an instructor of meteorology at the college level.

NBC10 Boston’s Abbey Niezgoda posted, “A weather legend. Celebrating @MattNBCBoston – who always told me where to go in storms. To say we will miss you at @NBC10Boston @NECN is understatement, but can’t wait to see what’s next!”

With rain forecast during work week ahead and below seasonable temperatures expected, NWS Meteorologist Alan Dunham said the Boston region will seem somewhat wintry for at least the next few days.

“Tomorrow, it’s going to be on the chilly side. Partly sunny skies but a gusty northeast wind which is going to give us highs in the upper 30s and wind chill temperatures in the lower 30s,” he said. “It’s not going to feel like spring at all.”

Overnight lows heading into Tuesday hover closer to freezing, Dunham said, and there’s a 40% chance it starts to rain before the morning commute begins.

Chances of rain become “light” after 1 p.m., according to the weather service, and the highs should be in the lower 40s with that “gusty northeast wind” still present, Dunham said. Overnight temperatures remain in the lower 40s or upper 30s.

On Tuesday, “we have a big system offshore,” the meteorologist said.

“It’s going to push some moisture back at us,” he said.

Wednesday will be cloudy with more rain is possible. Precipitation chances will still be in the 40% range. Dunham said the temperature will creep closer to seasonable, with highs in the low 50s and a calmer, less gusty breeze still blowing from the northeast.

“A little closer to normal for this time of year,” he said.

The chance of rain increases to 50% overnight going into Thursday, according to the weather service, with low temperatures in the upper 40s.

Rain is even more likely on Thursday, Dunham said, mostly in the afternoon when the chance of precipitation is forecast at 60%. High temps will be in the mid-50s throughout the region, according to the meteorologist.

Yet more rain is forecast for Friday, according to the weather service, when the chance of precipitation will be 50% and the wind picks back up. The wind will cause temperatures to fall back toward 50 degrees, Dunham said.

It will be a “bit on the breezy side” over the weekend, the meteorologist said, but the rain should have wrapped up by then. The forecast for both days calls for 50 degree highs and mostly sunny skies.

The eclipse is set to plunge a long arc of North America into darkness on April 8, including a stretch of the Northeast from New York to Maine. It is expected to be another 20 years before another total eclipse passes through the contiguous U.S., according to NASA.

The path of “totality,” where the sun will be completely blocked, is 115 miles wide, according to NASA. This path includes swaths of New York, Maine, Vermont and New Hampshire. Areas in states including Massachusetts, Connecticut and Rhode Island will see a partial eclipse.

Weather will be a major factor for those looking to plan how they’ll view the eclipse — and is so far uncertain. The biggest concern for many in April is the higher probability of clouds, in addition to potentially wet, snowy and muddy seasonal weather for the area.

“There’s not really much to say about what specific viewing conditions can be like yet, but we can talk about it climatologically for April, and it’s kind of a 50-50 split,” said Stephen Baron, a meteorologist with the National Weather Service in Maine. … “Looking at cloud climatology, for a lot of those towns, there’s really two options: its going to be overcast, or its going to be clear. And obviously we hope for the clear day.”

The Gray – Portland, Maine office of the National Weather Service has launched a page dedicated to tracking weather updates around the eclipse. The page includes seasonal averages for towns along the eclipse path and will be updated with forecasts as the eclipse nears.

For most of the area, the average seasonal temperature for the day is in the 40s, Baron said, and snow and mud are among a variety of factors people may want to consider in their plans.

In the 10 day window, Baron said, there will be “a lot more confidence” in the forecasts.

“The biggest tip I can can give everyone is just keep an eye on on the forecast for the area you’re planning on visiting,” Baron said. “So you have the latest information on what to prepare for.”

Many of the cities and town along the route are planning for events and festivals to mark the eclipse, including many listed on the dedicated pages on sites for the Maine Office of Tourism, New Hampshire and Vermont.

Eyewear is also an important element to planning to see the event. Eclipse glasses can be found at many online retailers ahead of the event.

The American Astronomical Society provides a list of retailers that sell reliable glasses options to see the eclipse safely. Glasses may also be available at eyewear stores and other retailers, but are prone to sell out closer to the event.

Some regions of the Bay State were expected to see a bit of snow, ice and freezing rain early Saturday, as local meteorologists warned of hazardous road conditions.

The National Weather Service issued a “Winter Weather Advisory” for parts of central and western Massachusetts, especially for the higher terrain in the northern spots.

“Anyone traveling early Saturday morning along Route 2, you’ll want to drive with caution,” Rob Megnia, a meteorologist at the National Weather Service’s Boston office, told the Herald.

The freezing rain, along with ice, is more of a concern than the minor snow accumulations.

Ice accumulation of a few hundredths of an inch to a tenth will likely lead to dangerous travel.

“Precipitation will initially spread from west to east as snow, before transitioning to a wintry mix of rain, freezing rain, sleet, and snow, and ultimately to all rain,” NWS wrote in its winter weather advisory. “Sheltered valleys may see a later transition to rain and higher accumulations of ice and snow.”

“Plan on slippery road conditions… Slow down and use caution while traveling,” NWS added.

Meanwhile, the rest of the state will be facing a deluge of rain throughout the day on Saturday. Forecasters are predicting heavy rain — with widespread totals of 2 to 3 inches, and locally higher amounts possible.

The heavy rain could spark flooding.

“It’s going to be a pretty significant rain storm,” Megnia said. “A complete washout.”

The National Weather Service issued a “Flood Watch” for much of the region. The heaviest rain should occur Saturday afternoon and evening, which may lead to urban and poor drainage street flooding, as well as sharp rises on rivers and streams. Some river flooding is possible.

“Those living in areas prone to flooding should be prepared to take action should flooding develop,” NWS warned.

While not a primary hazard, gusty southeast winds will be likely Saturday afternoon into Sunday morning. Wind gusts of 30 to 40 mph are possible.

Meanwhile up north, the National Weather Service has issued a “Winter Storm Watch” for parts of New Hampshire and Maine, where more than 6 inches of snow will be possible.

NWS warned, “Periods of moderate and heavy snow will combine with low visibility to create dangerous driving conditions.”

Following Saturday’s storm, Sunday should be dry across Massachusetts, but it’s expected to be quite windy especially along the coast. Forecasters are predicting 40 to 50 mph wind gusts along Cape Cod, and even stronger winds up to 55 mph will be possible on Nantucket.

A “Snow Squall Warning” was in effect for the Berkshires, and the rare thundersnow was reported in North Adams, according to the National Weather Service.

A strong cold front was sweeping across the region Wednesday evening, with snow squalls and snow showers in the high terrain of Massachusetts.

[5 pm] Thundersnow in North Adams, MA. A strong cold front sweeps across the region this evening. Snow squalls & snow showers in the high terrain of MA. Roads mainly wet but some minor snow accumulations for elevations above 1000 ft. Elsewhere, rain showers & isolated thunder pic.twitter.com/dthX8RAkpI

— NWS Boston (@NWSBoston) March 20, 2024

“Intense bursts of heavy snow,” NWS warned. “Gusty winds leading to blowing snow and visibility rapidly falling to less than one-quarter mile. Wind gusts greater than 35 mph.

“Travel will become difficult and potentially dangerous within minutes,” NWS added. “Reduce speed and turn on headlights! During snow squalls, the visibility may suddenly drop to near zero in whiteout conditions.”

Meteorologist Jim Cantore, who goes crazy over thundersnow, was following the snow in the Berkshires.

Cantore posted, “Epic snow squall action complete with thunder and lightning across the Berkshires and now southern VT.”

Of course just as the season’s calendar officially flips to spring, some snow could be on the way to parts of the region this weekend.

Welcome to late March in New England.

Before a deluge of heavy rainfall on Saturday, local meteorologists are predicting that some accumulating snow will be possible across northern Massachusetts late on Friday night before changing to rain.

“With cold air initially in place, expect precip to begin as snow, especially across northern MA where minor accums expected before changing to rain by Sat morning,” the National Weather Service’s forecast discussion reads for NWS Boston.

“In the coastal plain, a brief period of snow is possible at the onset but not expecting any accum here,” the forecast discussion adds.

After the snow, the focus will shift to heavy rainfall throughout the day on Saturday.

“It will be pretty wet on Saturday,” NWS meteorologist Kristie Smith told the Herald. “There could be 1 to 2 inches of rain.”

Some of the heaviest rain is expected near the coast.

There’s a low risk that the rain could end as a period of snow or freezing rain, but any wintry precipitation would likely be brief.

Before the weekend weather, it’s expected to be quite cold on Thursday with strong gusty winds up to 40 mph. Much of the area will be in the 30s during the afternoon, while it will feel 10 to 15 degrees colder with the strong westerly winds.

“Winter taking revenge,” Smith said, with it feeling around 20 degrees on Thursday.

Meanwhile, ski resorts in northern New England could benefit from the weekend storm. AccuWeather’s snow prediction for northern New England is 6 to 12 inches, with a chance for 18 inches from central Vermont to central Maine.

“The northern part of the storm will bring more wintry conditions with snow or a combination of snow and rain to inland areas of northern Pennsylvania, upstate New York and New England,” said AccuWeather Meteorologist Dean DeVore.

The National Weather Service has issued a “Hazardous Weather Outlook” for New Hampshire, Vermont and Maine ahead of the weekend storm.

“A storm system will impact the region Friday night through Saturday afternoon,” NWS warns. “Several inches of wet snow are possible across much of the area. Winter weather headlines will likely be needed. Stay tuned for future forecast updates.”

Spring is here — officially, at least.

The vernal equinox arrives on Tuesday, marking the start of the spring season for the Northern Hemisphere.

But what does that actually mean? Here’s what to know about how we split up the year using the Earth’s orbit.

What is the equinox?

As the Earth travels around the sun, it does so at an angle.

For most of the year, the Earth’s axis is tilted either toward or away from the sun. That means the sun’s warmth and light fall unequally on the northern and southern halves of the planet.

During the equinox, the Earth’s axis and its orbit line up so that both hemispheres get an equal amount of sunlight. This year, the alignment happens March 19 at 11:06 pm Eastern Daylight Time.

The word equinox comes from two Latin words meaning equal and night. That’s because on the equinox, day and night last almost the same amount of time — though one may get a few extra minutes, depending on where you are on the planet.

The Northern Hemisphere’s spring — or vernal — equinox can land between March 19 and 21, depending on the year. Its fall – or autumnal — equinox can land between Sept. 21 and 24.

What is the solstice?

The solstices mark the times during the year when the Earth is at its most extreme tilt toward or away from the sun. This means the hemispheres are getting very different amounts of sunlight — and days and nights are at their most unequal.

During the Northern Hemisphere’s summer solstice, the upper half of the earth is tilted in toward the sun, creating the longest day and shortest night of the year. This solstice falls between June 20 and 22.

Meanwhile, at the winter solstice, the Northern Hemisphere is leaning away from the sun — leading to the shortest day and longest night of the year. The winter solstice falls between December 20 and 23.

What’s the difference between meteorological and astronomical seasons?

These are just two different ways to carve up the year.

Meteorological seasons are defined by the weather. They break down the year into three-month seasons based on annual temperature cycles. By that calendar, spring starts on March 1, summer on June 1, fall on Sept. 1 and winter on Dec. 1.

Astronomical seasons depend on how the Earth moves around the sun.

Equinoxes mark the start of spring and autumn. Solstices kick off summer and winter.

The Associated Press Health and Science Department receives support from the Howard Hughes Medical Institute’s Science and Educational Media Group. The AP is solely responsible for all content.

The wind advisory goes into effect as of 8 a.m. Monday and is currently scheduled to last until the early morning hours of Tuesday.

Wind gusts are expected to top 50 mph with sustained northwest winds blowing at 15 to 25 mph, and will impact “portions of eastern, northeastern, and southeastern Massachusetts and northern and southern Rhode Island,” according to the advisory.

“Tomorrow will be quite gusty. We’re looking at pretty widespread 45 mph gusts across almost all of southern New England, including Boston,” Kyle Pederson, an NWS meteorologist said Sunday. “Maybe some 55 mph gusts up in the Berkshires and north of Worcester in higher terrain areas.”

According to the wind advisory, “gusty winds will blow around unsecured objects. Tree limbs could be blown down and a few power outages may result.”

Monday will otherwise be cloudy but dry, though Pederson said it could turn sunny by the afternoon, with a high in the low-40s.

The wind should slow overnight into Tuesday, according to the weather service, when the temperature is expected to around freezing. Even after the wind advisory ends, Pederson said, it’s still expected to be breezy through much of the following day.

“Nothing too bad: 20 to 30 mph gusts,” he predicted.

The sun will be out on Tuesday, according to Pederson, and the current forecast calls for highs in the lower 50s in and around Boston and just-above-freezing temperatures overnight.

The days get warmer as the week carries on, and the wind should die down almost entirely by Wednesday, when forecasters predict it could reach the mid-50s under mostly sunny skies. Overnight lows could hover closer to 40 degrees.

Thursday could be an essentially perfect spring day, with sunny skies, a calm breeze, and temperatures north of 60 degrees, according to the weather service. Thursday night lows are expected to be in the mid-40s.

There is a chance of rain Friday, Pederson said, starting very early in the morning and carrying through the day, with the greatest chance for rain coming overnight. There is currently a 30% chance of precipitation forecast through both Saturday and Sunday, though the meteorologist stressed that could change. High temperatures for all three days could hover in the mid-50s, with overnight lows above freezing.

The spell of warm days midweek may be music to your ears, but it’s not what the 300 maple syrup producers working in the Bay State’s $15 million sap industry want to see.

According to information provided by Severance Maple Products in Northfield, which hosted Gov. Maura Healey and representatives of the Massachusetts Maple Producers Association earlier this month to kick off the sugaring season, the ideal conditions for getting sap out of trees are “day time temperatures in the mid 40 degrees and the night temperatures in the lower 20 degrees.”

Rain could be heavy overnight with the National Weather Service warning to be prepared for “minor flooding” depending on where you live. Here is the live radar…

The “theme of the week” to begin March will be clouds and rain, NWS Meteorologist Rob Megnia told the Herald.

“It’s going to be cloudy and dreary,” NWS Meteorologist Rob Megnia said. “Much more clouds than sun this week.”

Monday could be wet depending on where you are but not a “total washout,” Megnia said, with scattered showers and a.m. fog possible. Even with the cloud cover, the temperature should be “seasonable,” the meteorologist said, with a high near 50 degrees and an overnight low heading into Tuesday around 40 degrees.

By the afternoon on Tuesday it’s likely there will be region-wide rainfall, with the chance of precipitation forecast at 70%. Tuesday could also feel slightly cooler during the day with temperatures in the mid-40s, though that temperature should hold stable overnight, according to the weather service. It should be warm enough that Megnia said he wasn’t concerned there might be a chance for mixed or wintry precipitation. It is likely the rain will continue through the night into Wednesday morning, he said.

The chance of rain falls to 40% by the afternoon on Wednesday, according to the weather service, and Megnia thinks it could reach 60 degrees in Boston despite the clouds. Rain could pick up again overnight into Thursday, with low temperatures in the mid-40s.

Another region-wide rain event is set for Thursday, Megnia said. Temperatures will likely stay in the middle-40s throughout the day, but it will feel cold and blustery, with wind gusts of up to 22 mph forecast and a 60% chance of rain.

And even more rain is possible on Friday, Megnia says, though the forecast also calls for partly sunny skies and just a 30% chance of precipitation. That sun won’t be enough to bring the daytime temperatures out of the lower 40’s however, and the wind is expected to gust upwards of 28 mph.

As things stand, both weekend days could see rain and temperatures in the mid-40s, though Megnia said the sun may occasionally peak through the clouds.

“Pretty much rain in the forecast every day,” he said.

Strong winds blasted the region, with powerful gusts topping 60 mph, leaving thousands of Bay Staters in the dark.

Trees and power lines were knocked down across the area, including in Hanson where a tree fell onto a home, according to the Hanson Fire Department.

“Hanson Fire responded to several calls for service overnight related to the high winds and rain,” the fire department posted with a photo of the tree on the home. No injuries were reported.

The strong windstorm led to tens of thousands of power outages at the peak of the storm, according to the Massachusetts Emergency Management Agency outage tracker. Power companies had been ready for the storm, and they helped lower the Bay State outages to 2,095 as of 5 p.m. Thursday.

The top gust recorded at Boston Logan International Airport was 60 mph, according to the National Weather Service’s Boston office. Both coastal and inland spots saw wind gusts surpass 50 mph.

Eversource responded to many reports of toppled trees and power lines, including to a downed tree, utility pole and wires in Dover.

“As we work to clear and repair damage caused by the powerful winds, please remember to stay far away from any downed power lines and report them to 911,” Eversource MA posted. “Never drive over downed wires or tree debris that may be tangled in them.”

National Grid was also repairing storm damage on Thursday.

“Our crews are responding to damage brought on by a storm overnight in Massachusetts and are in the process of repairing damage caused by a wind storm, such as replacing this broken utility pole in Leominster,” National Grid MA posted.

The winds were expected to be much calmer on Friday.

Then it should get milder into the 50s over the weekend, along with some rain at times. Meteorologists were not expecting a washout.

The National Weather Service had issued a “High Wind Warning” for Cape Cod, Nantucket and Martha’s Vineyard. Meteorologists were forecasting strong to potentially damaging wind gusts topping 50 mph across the Cape and Islands through Thursday morning.

“Damaging winds could blow down trees and power lines. Power outages are possible,” reads the NWS High Wind Warning. “Travel could be difficult, especially for high profile vehicles.

“People should avoid being outside in forested areas and around trees and branches,” NWS added. “If possible, remain in the lower levels of your home during the windstorm, and avoid windows. Use caution if you must drive.”

In addition to the Cape and Islands, strong wind gusts were expected for other parts of the Bay State. A “Wind Advisory” was in effect through Thursday morning for the Boston-area and elsewhere around Massachusetts.

“Gusty winds could blow around unsecured objects,” the NWS Wind Advisory reads. “Tree limbs could be blown down and a few power outages may result.

“Use extra caution when driving, especially if operating a high profile vehicle,” NWS added. “Secure outdoor objects.”

The storm was expected to depart by the end of the day on Thursday, followed by significantly lighter winds on Friday.

Meanwhile, power companies said they were ready to respond to outages. Strong wind gusts combined with saturated grounds have the potential to damage trees and knock down power wires, causing outages.

“National Grid is closely monitoring the weather forecast, and we have crews and personnel in place across Massachusetts ready to respond to any impacts this storm may bring,” said Tim Moore, VP of Electric Operations for New England. “If outages occur, our crews will be ready to restore the power systems as soon as it is safe to do so.”

National Grid secured additional crews and personnel for the storm. That included overhead line, forestry, contractors, underground, damage assessment, wires down, transmission, and substation workers. Crews were also pre-staged on Nantucket ahead of the storm.

NWS Meteorologist Alan Dunham told the Herald that a warm weather pattern will settle on the region early in the week and bring a couple of over-50-degree days. However, that brief warming trend will be interrupted by an Atlantic-bound cold front that sails through by Wednesday.

“It’s still winter,” Dunham said.

Monday will include both a chance for scattered snow showers and a predicted high temperature of around 50 degrees, Dunham said. Very little of the morning’s isolated wintry precipitation will stick to the ground and any snow that falls will likely turn to rain as a 10 mph breeze clears the clouds and the day warms.

Temperatures overnight into Tuesday will dip toward freezing, Dunham said, though the sky should be mostly clear and the wind light and variable.

A warm front will swing through the Boston area by Tuesday, according to the NWS.

“Tuesday will be a nice day, mostly sunny with highs in the mid-50s,” Dunham said.

That warm weather will keep overnight temperatures up in the mid-40s, according to the weather service, though there is a 70% chance of rain forecast.

“Wednesday, we have a cold front starting to move in,” Dunham said.

Despite that mass of cold air moving through the region and toward the ocean, Wednesday should still see temperatures in the middle 50s, according to the weather service, though the wind could make it feel much colder as it gusts over 40 mph and rain is expected before 11 a.m.

The mercury should stay above freezing overnight into Thursday, Dunham said, and more rain is expected while the wind gusts closer to 50 mph.

High temperatures on Thursday will be nearer to 40 degrees, and there is a chance of rain in the morning. The day should become mostly sunny by the afternoon. The weather service predicts the day will also be a windy one, with a steady 25-mph breeze and gusts approaching 40 mph.

Thursday night will be “blustery,” according to the weather service, with lows falling back below freezing and into the middle 20s. The wind is expected to calm a bit and blow under 20 mph.

The sun returns for Friday, Dunham said, though it won’t warm the region above the low 40s. The wind is forecast to be below 15 mph.

As of now the weekend looks to be dry and mostly sunny, with a slight breeze and highs in the mid to upper 50s, Dunham said.

Following a bit of mixed snow, sleet and freezing rain overnight across interior areas of Massachusetts, any mixed precipitation should turn to all rain throughout the day on Friday.

The light to moderate rain is expected to clear out Friday night before a dry and cold airmass brings much chillier temps to the region.

Any wet surfaces should quickly dry Friday evening, as winds pick up overnight and gust up to 20 mph — which will bring wind chill values down into the 20s and teens by sunrise Saturday.

“We’ll be turning colder this weekend, especially on Saturday,” Matthew Belk, meteorologist at the National Weather Service’s Boston office, told the Herald on Thursday.

“Nighttime temps could plunge into the single digits in the Berkshires, and temps in the city of Boston may drop below 20 degrees,” Belk added.

Plenty of sunshine should be in store for Sunday, with temps rebounding close to 40 degrees.

Then a warm-up arrives for the start of the week. High temps on Monday and Tuesday should be close to 50 degrees before surpassing 50 on Wednesday.

But another rainy system could be on the way.

“It’s looking unsettled for the middle of the week, in the late Tuesday night to Wednesday timeframe,” Belk said. “There’s a front that, so far, can’t make up its mind.”

NWS Meteorologist Bill Leatham told the Herald that a high pressure system will enter the region early next week, pushing away the clouds and keeping any wet weather at bay until at least the weekend.

“It’s looking pretty quiet this week. The next shot for any widespread precipitation comes real late in the week,” he said. “At least at this point, all signs are that it is going to be too warm for any snow, with the exception of the higher terrain in the interior.”

Monday is President’s Day, the official celebration of President George Washington’s Feb. 22 birthday, and it’s expected to be a fairly nice day for those who have the federal holiday off from work. Temperatures will climb to near 40 degrees, according to the weather service, with clear skies and a slight, under-15-mph breeze.

“There will be plenty of sunshine through the first half of the week,” Leatham said.

Temperatures overnight into Tuesday will drop substantially, Leatham said, falling into the upper teens before the high pressure system arrives.

On Tuesday the temperature should hover in the middle-30s, when the winds will shift from the north to the southeast. Leatham said any breeze should be mild, though gusts up to 25 mph are possible.

Some clouds are expected to roll in overnight Tuesday, when the temperature will likely fall into the low 20s.

The sky should mostly clear by Wednesday morning, when the mercury will begin a climb back toward 40 degrees. The wind will likely shift to the east by Wednesday night, according to the weather service, when the temperature could drop to under 30 degrees.

There should be more sun on Thursday, when the weather service predicts a high temperature near 43 degrees and a light southerly wind in the afternoon.

Rain could occur after midnight on Friday, and the weather service predicts there is a 40% chance of precipitation overnight.

The odds of precipitation increase through the day on Friday, climbing toward 70% by the afternoon, though it is expected to be a seasonably-warm day with temperatures over 45 degrees.

Overnight temps should slip back under freezing Friday night, when the chance of precipitation will likely fall to 50% as the wind picks up slightly.

Saturday and Sunday both appear dry and sunny as of now, with highs in the upper 30s and an under-20-mph breeze, according to the weather service.

McGovern, whose district includes Leominster, one of the cities and towns flooded out by the devastating flooding, voiced his frustration over the rejection from the Federal Emergency Management Agency in a statement Wednesday.

“FEMA’s recommendation to deny disaster relief for the City of Leominster is unacceptable and unconscionable,” McGovern said. “I was on-the-ground after the flooding, and it was a disaster in every sense of the word. Families and small business owners showed me how they lost everything. Homes were completely leveled, cars were washed away, and kids were forced to learn in classrooms that were packed with water and mud only days before.”

McGovern made his stance known a day after Leominster Mayor Dean Mazzarella vowed to continue fighting for the declaration alongside the Healey administration. Mazzarella called the decision from the feds “almost unbelievable.”

Healey is planning to appeal the decision, while the governor is directing her administration to “quickly” distribute $5 million in flood relief funding that’s included in a spending bill she signed in December.

Leominster officials and representatives worked with the Massachusetts Emergency Management Agency for three months following the storm, compiling information that showed how the floods caused $35 million in city damage, affecting 1,400 homes and businesses, Mazzarella highlighted in a memo Tuesday.

Healey submitted the request for the disaster declaration in December, with the governor looking to receive federal assistance for individuals and public infrastructure for affected communities via a FEMA-run program. MEMA works with federal counterparts to assess potentially reimbursable damages caused by or related to a disaster.

Hazard mitigation assistance, which provides dollars to reduce disaster losses, is also made available.

FEMA Administrator Deanne Criswell sent a letter to Healey on Sunday, alerting the governor that her request for a major disaster declaration had been denied.

The September storms forced evacuations, water rescues, and the construction of temporary roadways so first responders and residents could access homes, but Criswell found  “the damage from this event was not of such severity and magnitude as to be beyond the capabilities of the state, affected local governments, and voluntary agencies.”

Attleboro, North Attleboro, Lancaster, Princeton, Springfield and Sterling also received support from MEMA during their recovery.

In his statement, McGovern said he’s been in contact with the White House, Healey’s administration, and Mazzarella, adding “President Biden must overturn this irresponsible recommendation.”

U.S. Sen. Ed Markey is echoing McGovern’s frustration.

“Leominster, Springfield, North Attleboro, and impacted communities across the Commonwealth have been resilient in the face of hardship,” he said in a statement to the Herald, “but are in desperate need of relief—relief that requires federal assistance.”

Leominster Mayor Dean Mazzarella, in a Tuesday memo, called it “almost unbelievable” that the Federal Emergency Management Agency has denied Gov. Maura Healey’s request for President Biden to declare a major disaster in Bay State communities hit hard by the “devastating floods.”

Mazzarella said his city worked with the Massachusetts Emergency Management Agency for three months following the storm, compiling information that showed how the floods caused $35 million in city damage, affecting 1,400 homes and businesses.

“Whether it was additional information on individual homes, businesses, or city damage, we worked night and day to get every piece of information they requested to them by each deadline that was set,” Mazzarella said. “Yet, President Biden and FEMA opted not to approve the declaration.”

“We are not done. Leominster has never backed down from a challenge and this is no exception,” the mayor added.

Heavy rains and flooding left roads and homes damaged in Leominster and North Attleboro and prompted Healey to declare a four-day state of emergency as crews worked to clean up the municipalities. The storms required evacuations, water rescues, and the construction of temporary roadways so first responders and residents could access homes.

Attleboro, Lancaster, Princeton, Springfield and Sterling also received support from MEMA during their recovery.

Healey submitted the request for the disaster declaration in December, with the governor looking to open the door to a FEMA-run program that provides federal assistance for individuals and public infrastructure. MEMA works with federal counterparts to assess potentially reimbursable damages caused by or related to a disaster.

Hazard mitigation assistance, which provides dollars to reduce disaster losses, is also made available.

But in a letter sent to Healey on Sunday, FEMA Administrator Deanne Criswell alerted the governor that her request for a major disaster declaration had been denied.

“Based on our review of all of the information available, it has been determined that the damage from this event was not of such severity and magnitude as to be beyond the capabilities of the state, affected local governments, and voluntary agencies,” the letter states. “Accordingly, we have determined that supplemental federal assistance is not necessary.”

Criswell outlined how the denial may be appealed within 30 days, and the feds will “communicate any additional resources that may be available through other federal agencies and/or volunteer organizations to address unmet needs for survivor assistance.”

“Our administration is deeply disappointed that FEMA denied our request for a major disaster declaration for damage caused by extreme weather in September,” Healey’s spokesperson Karissa Hand said in a statement. “We submitted a strong request based on the severe local impacts this storm had on our communities. We plan to appeal this decision and will do everything we can to continue our advocacy with our federal partners and support our communities.”

So far this year, Biden has declared major disasters in Michigan, Maine, West Virginia, New York and Rhode Island for storms, tornadoes, flooding, landslides and mudslides that wreaked havoc on those states last year.

Biden declared a state of emergency in Massachusetts last September after months of seemingly endless rain and the unanticipated flooding in Leominster, North Attleboro and elsewhere.

Heavy storms and torrential downpours soaked farms and fields last July, leaving more than 1,000 acres of crops destroyed and farmers scrambling to survive after losing crops that were near ready to harvest. Months later, 37 municipalities in Berkshire, Worcester, Franklin, Plymouth, Norfolk, Middlesex, and Essex Counties were selected to receive a portion of $10 million in disaster relief.

The disaster relief funding was included in a spending bill Healey signed in December. That pool of money includes $5 million in flood relief funding that the governor is directing her administration to “quickly” distribute.

In Leominster, officials have hired a consultant to “assist us with the appeal and the governor personally assured me last night that her team is in this fight with us,” Mazzarella said in his memo Tuesday.

“You have my word that we will continue to fight for this declaration,” he said. “The City of Leominster and the other communities with damage deserve this assistance.

The nor’easter that was hyped up as the biggest one to hit the Boston-area in years never came to fruition on Tuesday — missing to the south and ending up on a milk carton for much of the Bay State.

Two days before the snow storm, forecast models had showed close to a foot of snow for the Boston-area.

But then things drastically changed, while schools across the region shut down — including in Boston, where 0.1 inches of snow was measured at Boston Logan International Airport as of Tuesday afternoon.

“I will take being overprepared than underprepared every single time, but it does come with a lot of disruption and inconvenience for families and people trying to get to their jobs,” Boston Mayor Michelle Wu said on GBH’s “Boston Public Radio.”

“It’s really unfortunate, but we are glad to be safe, rather than sorry in this case,” the mayor added on Tuesday.

Less than 24 hours out from the storm arriving, the weather data and forecast models shifted the storm further south.

When you’re 48 hours out from a storm, the confidence in a forecast is “usually moderate,” National Weather Service meteorologist Kyle Pederson told the Herald.

“But the shift here started about 24 hours out,” he said. “And it became evident that this thing was going to go south.”

A slight shift in the storm track can “make a big difference between rain and 6 to 12 inches of snow,” added AccuWeather senior meteorologist Marshall Moss.

The southern areas of Massachusetts that felt the brunt of the snow storm were in Worcester County, along with the Cape and the Islands.

Dudley in Worcester County recorded 9.3 inches of snow, Chilmark on Martha’s Vineyard measured 9 inches, and Sandwich on Cape Cod saw 8 inches.

The New England snow jackpot was in Connecticut’s Hartford County, where 15.5 inches fell in Farmington and 15.2 inches in West Hartford.

The heavy wet snow combined with strong gusty winds led to power outages across southeastern Massachusetts. More than 20,000 outages were reported as of 5 p.m., according to the Massachusetts Emergency Management Agency tracker. The most outages were on the Cape and Vineyard.

The nor’easter also sparked high surf along the coast, including in Scituate. A coastal flood warning was in effect for eastern Massachusetts on the coast with roads becoming impassable around high tide.

Meanwhile, much of the region wondered what happened with the storm. The Needham Police Department posted a “MISSING” poster for the snow storm.

“Identifying Characteristics: Fluffy White Stuff Which Typically Falls From The Sky,” the poster reads.

In Boston, city officials follow three different national and international forecasting services.

“It’s basically a calculation of how likely are we able to keep the roads clear as it’s coming down,” Wu said.

“All three models had really converged about 24 hours before on a pretty significant snow event right during the morning commute,” the mayor later added. “And it dissipated over the rest of the day, but we were trying to give families as much notice as possible to make their plans.”

Storm forecasting is becoming more difficult, she said.

“I think it goes to show not only is our climate changing in general, that we haven’t had a significant snow storm now in more than two years, but also the predictability of the weather,” Wu said. “Every storm can change so quickly on its path, the projections, the amounts.

“There’s always been some magic and some apologies to this, I’m sure, over the years,” she said. “But more and more so, it’s becoming very difficult to estimate how those storms are going to behave.”

“I’m grateful for City teams who monitored the storm overnight and have been prepared to clear our roadways and respond to any emergencies,” Wu said in a release just after 9 a.m.

The end of the snow emergency means residents must remove their cars from discounted lots and garages by 6:00 p.m. Tuesday.

Following the “sudden and drastic changes to the forecast,” city officials decided not to tow any cars parked on streets violating the ban Monday night and will not tow or ticket cars parked on snow emergency routes through 4 p.m. The snow emergency went into effect at 10 p.m. Monday.

The predicted snow storm shifted south overnight, and the Boston area is expected to see closer to 3 to 5 inches of snow accumulation, according to the National Weather Service. The winter weather advisory and coastal flood warning remain in effect for the region through Tuesday evening.

The city release stated the decision to leave the emergency in place until 4 p.m. was made to allow residents time to retrieve their cars from the discounted lots.

BPS schools and municipal buildings will reopen on Wednesday, the city announced. All municipal buildings, including City Hall, BCYF community centers and Boston Public Library branches, remain closed through Tuesday.

Space savers to mark a parking spot can be used up to 48 hours after the end of a snow emergency in any neighborhood except the South End and Bay Village. After 4 p.m. on Thursday, remaining space savers may be thrown out by the Public Works Department.

Property owners are required to clear sidewalks and ramps along their property within three hours after snow fall ends or three hours after sunrise if snow fall ends overnight.

Trash and recycling pick-up in the city will remain on a regular schedule, but the food waste collection schedule will be pushed back a day through the end of the week. More information can be found on the Trash Day App, the city release said.

City officials reminded residents to still call 911 for any people outside who may be experiencing homelessness or appear “immobile, disoriented or underdressed for the weather.” Residents can call 311 for non-emergencies.

“Even as the forecasts and weather conditions are shifting rapidly, we ask that you please check on your neighbors, family, and friends to be sure everyone is safe,” Wu said.

7 a.m. — After a mix of rain and snow overnight, there should be a full changeover to snow across the region.

9 a.m. — The snowfall rates are expected to start increasing, with rates as high as 2 inches per hour possible. The worst of the snow should last through the early afternoon. The bullseye zone will be over southeastern Massachusetts.

2 p.m. — Coastal flooding and beach erosion will be possible during the afternoon high tide across eastern Massachusetts. Heavy snow and gusty winds may lead to power outages.

5 p.m. — Snow should come to an end, and road conditions are expected to improve.

A nor’easter was expected to hit the Bay State on Tuesday, with up to a foot of snow in spots along with possible blizzard conditions, power outages and coastal flooding.

While the forecast models showed a drastic shift to the south at the 11th hour, the Boston-area was still projected to see between 6 and 8 inches of snow.

The jackpot zone was looking like southeastern Massachusetts in Plymouth County, where 12 inches of heavy snow was possible.

“Travel is going to be quite difficult,” Kyle Pederson, a meteorologist with the National Weather Service’s Boston office told the Herald. “It will definitely be a bad day to be out traveling.

“If you can, stay in and watch the snow from home,” Pederson added. “Stay off the roads and stay safe.”

There could be widespread 1 to 2 inches per hour snowfall rates during the day. Even 3 inches of snow per hour will be possible.

The winter storm should be pretty quick hitting. A mix of rain and snow was expected to start late Monday night before a changeover to all snow.

The worst of the snow should be in the 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. window.

“If you’re out driving tomorrow, be prepared for slow travel,” said AccuWeather senior meteorologist Tom Kines.

Snow should come to an end by 4 to 8 p.m., from west to east across the region.

Blizzard conditions will be possible, especially on the Outer Cape where the strongest winds are expected, with gusts as high as 55 mph.

Elsewhere, winds will be gusty, blowing 30 to 40 mph over southeastern Massachusetts and along the immediate coasts of the Bay State and Rhode Island.

[Significant Winter Storm] A significant winter storm impacts the region Tuesday morning and afternoon. Latest forecast shifts the heaviest snow further to the south. Strong winds across the Cape and Islands. coastal flooding along east coast with early PM high tide. pic.twitter.com/2yAzE6It8p

— NWS Boston (@NWSBoston) February 12, 2024

Wet snow and strong winds along the coast may result in power outages.

“The biggest risk for outages will be along southeastern Massachusetts,” Pederson said. “There certainly could be snow load issues, and the wind can be a problem.”

The wind gusts and accumulation of wet, heavy snow in some areas could damage trees and knock down power wires.

“National Grid is closely monitoring the weather forecast, and we have crews and personnel in place across Massachusetts ready to respond to any impacts this storm may bring,” said Tim Moore, VP of Electric Operations for New England.

“We’ll be ready to restore service as quickly and safely as possible,” Moore added. “The predicted heavy snow may make roads difficult to travel, and strong winds could have an impact on our restoration efforts. Our crews will work to restore the power systems as soon as it is safe to do so.”

Eversource has been bringing in extra power line and tree crews in advance of the storm.

“We’ve been closely monitoring this storm using several weather forecast models and are planning accordingly, making adjustments to our response as necessary,” said Eversource President of Regional Electric Operations Craig Hallstrom.

“The heavy, wet snow can weigh down tree limbs and branches, possibly bringing them down onto electric lines and equipment, causing damage and power outages,” Hallstrom added. “The hazardous conditions can also make travel challenging for our crews, so we’re staging extra staff and equipment across the state to ensure we’re ready to respond as quickly and as safely as possible wherever our crews are needed.”

Coastal flooding is expected during the Tuesday afternoon high tide along the eastern Massachusetts coast, with significant beach erosion. The storm surge could be 2 to 3 feet.

“Many coastal roads become impassable around high tide,” the NWS coastal flooding warning reads. “Flooding 1 to 2 feet deep affects some coastal roads and low lying areas from Revere and Winthrop through Boston to the South Shore and communities along Cape Cod Bay. Flooding also affects roads near Edgartown Harbor and Nantucket Harbor, and approaches Five Corners in Vineyard Haven.”

“The best projections right now estimate that we will likely get between eight and 12 inches of snow in total, that it will come down pretty heavily during the morning commute starting earlier in the morning and potentially continuing all the way through the afternoon tomorrow,” Wu said at a press briefing on the snow emergency. “That means that we are making the call today that Boston Public Schools will be closed tomorrow.”

After two years without a major snowstorm, city and state officials warned residents to take preparations and precautions seriously.

Statewide, Gov. Maura Healey directed non-emergency state employees in the executive branch to stay home and telework Tuesday.

“This is not intended to be a record-breaking forecast, but it is expected to cause hazardous travel conditions, potential power outages, and coastal flooding,” Healey said. “So we ask that people prepare accordingly.”

Many school districts in the area, including Brookline, Somerville, Malden and Quincy public schools, have also announced closures Tuesday.

Boston’s snow emergency parking ban will go into effect at 10 p.m. Monday night, Wu said, to help keep posted roads and major arteries clear of snow and available for emergency vehicles.

Residents are encouraged to look out for signs posted to indicate streets with restricted parking during snow emergencies, city officials said. Any cars parked along restricted roads or in BPS lots will be towed. A map of roads with restricted parking during snow emergencies and information on discounted alternative parking is available on boston.gov/snow.

Residents may also use space savers for up to 48 hours after the snow emergency ends in Boston, except in the South End and Bay Village, which do not allow space savers.

The T will continue normal operations, except shuttle buses on the Mattapan trolley line, Healey said, though there may be disruptions.

In addition to schools, municipal buildings in Boston will be closed Tuesday, Wu said. These include BCYF centers and all Boston Public Library branches. Of city staff, she added, only Emergency Operations personnel will be reporting in person.

The city is well-prepared for this first major snowstorm in over two years, said Chief of Streets Jascha Franklin-Hodge, with nearly 40,000 tonnes of salt and over 800 pieces of city-owned and contractor snow-clearing equipment ready to go.

In addition to heavy snow and wind, Franklin-Hodge said, teams are also preparing for possible coastal flooding.

“While we’re prepared for the storm, the forecast models that we’re looking at are showing snowfall rates of as high as one to two inches an hour during the peak of the storm,” said Franklin-Hodge. “And what that means is that there will be times where snow accumulates on the roads.”

Throughout the state, Healey said, crews will stand ready to “flooded roadways, downed powerlines and coastal flooding.”

“Depending on the amount of storm surge, it usually does isolate parts of our city,” said Quincy Mayor Thomas P. Koch, noting the many peninsulas. … “One of the biggest concerns I have truthfully is that we haven’t had a storm in quite some time and people forget. They’ve got to follow the rules.”

As much as possible, Boston city officials echoed, residents should stay off the roads and work from home.

Property owners are responsible for clearing snow from sidewalks and curb ramps along the property within three hours of snowfall ending or within three hours of sunrise if snowfall ends overnight. Shovelers should not toss snow into the street, Franklin-Hodge emphasized, and the city will hand out tickets to those who do so or fail to shovel.

City officials also encouraged residents to check on neighbors and loved ones, especially seniors and unhoused people, and call 911 for anyone who looks like they need help out in the cold.

Emergency shelters will be open and taking walk-ins 24 hours a day, Wu said. The men’s shelter is located at 112 South Hampton St., and women can access the Woods Mullen shelter at 794 Massachusetts Ave.

“Most importantly, please remember to check in, reach out to your family and neighbors, loved ones, friends,” Wu said. “Make sure that everyone has a plan to stay inside and stay safe and warm. We know that when our community comes together, we can weather any storm.”

More information on Boston snow preparations, assistance and resources is available on boston.gov/snow or via the 311 phone number or app. Statewide information can be found at mass.gov/mema.

NWS meteorologist Rob Megnia told the Herald that Boston and surrounding towns can expect to see the snow start to fall on very early Tuesday morning and continue through the evening commute. The snow will be heavy enough to make travel dangerous, he said.

“We certainly expect moderate to major impacts to travel,” Megnia said.

Weather Monday will be deceptively warm and temperate, according to the weather service, presenting a full work day to get prepared before the snow begins. High temperatures Monday could reach into the 50s under mostly sunny skies, Megnia said, but that all changes for Tuesday, when a 24-hour Winter Storm Warning goes into effect at 1 a.m.

“Most of tomorrow is going to be fine,” he said. “We won’t see the snow and precipitation move in until after midnight, and then it will intensify during the morning commute.”

The storm, according to the weather service’s warnings, will impact “portions of northern Connecticut, central, eastern, northeastern and western Massachusetts and northern Rhode Island.” Travel will be “difficult or impossible” during the periods of strongest snowfall, according to the warning.

With heavy bands of snow expected during both the morning and evening drives, Tuesday is an excellent day to consider working from home if possible, Megnia said.

The storm, a coastal weather pattern with winds from the north east, is a classic example of a nor’easter, Megnia said. It could leave upwards of a foot of snow over parts of Boston, with slightly less impact on the Cape and other coastal areas.

“Eight to 12 inches for the Boston metro area, probably a little bit lower the closer you get to the coast,” he said.

The snow should start to taper off by Tuesday night and end by Wednesday morning according to forecasting models, leaving behind days of cold.

“When those north-easterly winds start to kick in we’ll see temperatures drop,” he said. “When the storm departs, things are going to get really chilly.”

Daytime temperatures Wednesday and Thursday will be near freezing, but overnight lows will drop into the low 20s and upper teens. A predicted stiff breeze could push the wind-chill temperature into the single digits, Megnia said.

Seasonable cold weather will follow, according to the weather service, and Megnia said that the snow should stick around through at least the weekend.

But the good times in the warmth won’t last much longer.

“You’ll have one more day of it, and winter is coming back,” National Weather Service Boston meteorologist Kyle Pederson told the Herald Saturday evening.

The NWS issued a winter storm watch earlier Saturday that will go into effect late Monday night and last through late Tuesday night, with a solid 4 to 12 inches of snowfall expected across the Bay State.

Boston and areas along the coast are expected to see 4 to 6 inches while areas north and west of the I-95 corridor are anticipated to receive the jackpot of the storm, with 6 to 12 inches possible, NWS’ latest snow map shows. Winds could gust as high as 40 miles per hour, according to the service.

“We haven’t gotten a good snowfall event since the Nor’Easter in January,” Pederson said. “We’re not expecting any wind headlines, and it shouldn’t get close to blizzard headlines. Likely just a normal winter storm.”

A forecast discussion issued Saturday afternoon highlighted the peak of the storm is expected to last most of Tuesday morning, but “substantial precipitation is forecast to linger into the afternoon and evening hours.”

“The Tuesday morning commute will be more impacted further west, with lesser snow impacts closer to the coast,” Pederson said. “That Tuesday afternoon commute will be bad across the board, across much of the state.”

It’s fair to say there will be “many” school cancellations, Pederson added.

An area of concern is a strong likelihood of a coastal flood threat, with astronomical high tides already above normal the past few days. There’s potential for a 2 to 3 feet of surge during Tuesday’s afternoon high tide, the NWS forecast discussion states.

“A winter storm watch is in effect for all of southern New England except for the south coast, Cape, Islands, east slopes of The Berkshires in Hampshire and Franklin counties,” the discussion states. “We expect headlines and the snowfall forecast to evolve over the next day or two, so stay tuned for updates.

“Well, it’s February in New England,” AccuWeather senior meteorologist Tom Kines told the Herald on Friday. “It can snow, and it looks like it will.”

A nor’easter could dump several inches of snow across the region from Monday night into Tuesday, with close to a foot of snow in spots.

Forecasters emphasize that there’s still a lot of uncertainty in the track, intensity and exact timing of the significant coastal storm.

“As far as Massachusetts is concerned, it’s looking like a general 3 to 6 inches of snow,” Kines said. “If you get far enough north and west of Boston away from the ocean influence, it could be more than that, in the 8 to 10 inch range.”

There could be a mix of snow and rain for some areas, depending on how quick the colder air can arrive.

“The places with the least amount of snow could be near the coast,” Kines said.

The National Weather Service’s Boston office had not issued any snow prediction maps as of Friday afternoon, but NWS Boston said considerable snowfall could be on the table.

“All we can say at this point is there is potential for a significant snowfall, but snowfall amounts and where heaviest snowfall sets up remains uncertain,” the National Weather Service’s forecast discussion reads.

“This will depend on the track of the low and the rate of storm intensification,” NWS added. “Given we are still 4 days out, further model shifts are expected.”

We're monitoring the potential for significant snowfall in the northeastern US next week as a weather system moves from the Midwest to off the east coast by Tuesday morning. There is still plenty of uncertainty in precipitation type/amounts.
Updates at https://t.co/VyWINDk3xP pic.twitter.com/SKRihhZBtb

— National Weather Service (@NWS) February 9, 2024

Bombogenesis, also known as a bomb cyclone, remains a possibility with this system, Kines said. Bombogenesis occurs when a storm rapidly intensifies, or strengthens, over a 24-hour period. It can happen when a cold air mass collides with a warm air mass, such as air over warm ocean waters.

“This could get over the ocean and intensify,” Kines said. “There could be a lot of rough surf and beach erosion.”

The storm is expected to bring strong winds, which could spark coastal flooding given the high astronomical tides.

“The Stevens Institute Flood Advisory guidance showing roughly a 1-2 ft surge at this point, which could result in some coastal flooding issues,” the National Weather Service’s forecast discussion reads. “Really need to hone in on the specifics for track/intensity and timing, but will be something to closely monitor given how vulnerable our shorelines are.”