By James Arnold, Weather Specialist
Our approaching storm has the potential to be one of the more memorable storms in recent years. The hazards it will bring to us are:
1) Heavy snow, with total accumulations of between 12 and 18 inches. Precipitation will begin Sunday, Feb. 12 in the morning and ramp up from there.
2) Strong winds, gusting to over 40 mph inland and up to 70 mph along the coast. In addition, Hurricane Force Wind Warnings are up for our offshore water. The result will be a lot of blowing and drifting snow and the strong likelihood of rather widespread tree damage and power outages along the coast, the Cape and Islands, where the snow will be wetter and sticky, plastering everything and making trees, wires and poles more susceptible to damage..
3) The most intense snow bands will contain imbedded thunderstorms, (thundersnow) which will exaggerate the snowfall in areas it occurs. Think pouring rain in a summer thunderstorm, only falling as snow.
4) Beach erosion will be significant on northeast to northwest facing beaches and coastal flooding will be a concern at the times of high tide. Offshore wave heights will likely exceed 35 feet at times.
Follow this link to the National Weather Service Taunton Forecast Office website for additional information, and keep up to date on the latest forecasts on radio, TV, your NOAA weather radio and the internet.
James M. Arnold is a retired Weather Specialist who has worked with Shrewsbury Emergency Management Agency; town of Princeton; Worcester Emergency Communications and Emergency Management Agency; Southborough Emergency Management Agency; town of Grafton and Wachusett Mountain Ski Area