SouthCoast Could See Jackpot Snow Totals This Weekend

After a relatively calm stretch of weather, southeastern Massachusetts is getting ready for a significant snowstorm that could bring heavy snowfall, strong winds, and possible power outages beginning Sunday night and continuing into Monday.

12 News Meteorologist T.J. Del Santo said while it’s going to be pretty quiet for most of Sunday, snow is expected to move into the SouthCoast region Sunday night..

When Will The Snowstorm Begin and End?

According to Del Santo, the storm will likely begin after 8 p.m. or 9 p.m. Sunday, allowing residents to prepare for the storm with trips to Market Basket and to the gas station to fill up generators and snow blowers.

School Delays, Closings and Travel Disruptions Possible

The timing on this storm is going to make things a little complicated Monday morning. Snow is expected to continue overnight and into Monday morning, with the storm gradually winding down by early Monday afternoon. The timing could create hazardous conditions during the Monday morning commute and may even lead to school cancellations, according to Del Santo.

“This is going to be a plowable snow,” he said. “We are expecting at least some significant snowfall.”

READ MORE: The Complete List of SouthCoast Closings, Delays and Parking Bans

How Much Snow Could the SouthCoast See?

Del Santo said the computer models tracking the storm are starting to agree more than earlier in the week, raising confidence among meteorologists. There is currently a moderate to high chance that the SouthCoast will be the jackpot for snow totals, and is the most likely to receive at least six inches of snow.

The SouthCoast region, including Fall River, New Bedford, and Taunton, appears to have the highest chance of seeing the most significant snowfall totals. Areas closer to Cape Cod could also see substantial accumulation, while Rhode Island may receive slightly lower totals.

Strong Winds and Heavy Snow Could Cause Power Outages

In addition to snowfall, the storm is expected to bring strong northeast winds with gusts reaching up to 40 miles per hour. Combined with heavy, wet snow, these winds could increase the risk of power outages.

Heavy snow sticking to trees and power lines can cause branches to break and lines to fall, especially when accompanied by gusty winds.

Final Forecast Details Coming Soon

While the overall storm threat is becoming clearer, Del Santo said final snowfall totals and impacts will be better defined as updated forecast models arrive.

Residents are encouraged to monitor updated forecasts over the weekend.