photo by Tyler Molleur
EAST HARDWICK – After starting out the last forecast period with mild conditions and some rain, precipitation in that storm system wrapped up as snow. Following a day of sunny conditions on Friday, temperatures remained below freezing with incrementally accumulating light snow from the weekend into Monday. An intermittent window existed for viewing the aurora borealis overnight on Monday.
A low-pressure system approaching from the Great Lakes today brings moderating temperatures as a warm front lifts through New England. Steady snow is likely during the evening hours, before tapering off through daybreak. Only an inch or two of snow is expected. Then, snow showers with possible snow squalls return for the morning and midday tomorrow as a cold front crosses the region from west to east. This will bring another quick inch of snow and strengthening winds. Snow showers linger on Friday as temperatures continue to plummet through the day thanks to a passing secondary cold front. Cloud cover will decrease by evening.
A significant wind chill threat exists Friday night into the day on Saturday as low temperatures drop into the teens below zero and winds make temperatures feel like they are in the 30s below zero. Frostbite can occur on exposed skin within minutes under these circumstances. Outdoor activity is strongly discouraged during this time. Winds subside Saturday night, but air temperatures will continue to be close to 20 degrees below zero. The sun is out for the most part on Sunday as bitterly cold conditions persist. Here are the forecast details:
Wednesday: Partly cloudy. Snow showers developing by evening. High: 22. Low: 15. South wind 5-10 mph.
Thursday: Mostly cloudy. Scattered snow showers with possible snow squalls in the morning. High: 30. Low: 6. Southwest wind 10-15 mph. Gusts to 25 mph.
Friday: Partly cloudy. Scattered snow showers, especially in the afternoon. High: 15. Low: -15. West wind 5-10 mph. Gusts to 20 mph. Wind chill values potentially as low as -35 by morning Saturday.
Saturday: Mostly sunny. Bitterly cold. High: -7. Low: -19. Northwest wind 5-10 mph, decreasing by evening. Wind chill values as low as -20 throughout the day.
Sunday: Mostly sunny. Bitterly cold. High: 0. Low: -16. Calm wind.
