Sat Jan 17 12:20:00 UTC 2026: ### New England Braces for Uncertain Winter Weather as Arctic Blast Looms
The Story:
Southern New England is facing a weekend of uncertain winter weather, with the potential for accumulating snow followed by an arctic cold front. The National Weather Service is predicting 1 to 2 inches of snow for lower elevations of interior Massachusetts and northern Connecticut late tonight into Saturday, with 2 to 4 inches possible in higher terrain. A second, potentially plowable snowfall is possible Sunday-Sunday night, but its westward extent remains highly uncertain.
After the weekend, an arctic cold front is expected to cross the region Monday, bringing well below-normal temperatures and bitterly cold wind chills into Wednesday.
Key Points:
- Light snow accumulation expected late tonight into Saturday across interior Massachusetts and northern Connecticut.
- A second snow event is possible Sunday-Sunday night, but the extent is uncertain.
- Models show considerable spread, making a deterministic snowfall forecast difficult.
- An arctic cold front will bring bitterly cold temperatures Monday through Wednesday.
- Gales and Freezing Spray are expected for coastal waters during the arctic blast.
Key Takeaways:
- Forecasting winter weather in New England remains challenging due to complex atmospheric conditions.
- The uncertainty in the model guidance highlights the need for continued monitoring and updates.
- Residents should prepare for the possibility of plowable snow Sunday-Sunday night, especially near and southeast of the Boston to Providence corridor, but also be aware that little to no snow is possible.
- Extreme cold is expected to follow, requiring precautions to prevent frostbite and hypothermia.
- The combination of potential snow and extreme cold could strain infrastructure and resources.
First Piper 