UPDATE: This article has been updated to include additional information about storm preparations in Westborough and Northborough.
REGION – Forecasters issued sharp warnings Friday morning about the nor’easter set to hit the region this weekend.
They note that some uncertainties remain and add that the worst of the weather will likely hit coastal regions.
Still, they’ve issued a winter storm warning for an area including local communities and are advising residents of hazardous road conditions brought on by snowfall that could exceed a foot in some places.
“A powerful multi facet winter storm with blizzard conditions and near hurricane force winds will impact southern New England Saturday & Saturday evening,” noted a discussion circulated by the National Weather Service’s (NWS) Boston office at 7 a.m. on Friday.
Forecasters describe ‘fire hose’ of moisture strengthening nor’easter
Experts described conditions currently ripening the region for this snow event.
Those include a “fire hose” of moisture from the Atlantic Ocean that “will result in very heavy snowfall across [Rhode Island] and Eastern [Massachusetts].”
This 7 a.m. update noted that there was still “some uncertainty on the westward extent of the heavy snow.
“However [there is] enough confidence to upgrade to [winter storm] warnings for the entire region,” forecasters wrote.
Locally, the NWS’ wind maps project gusts between 40 and 45 miles-per-hour in area municipalities.
Those winds will whip through heavy snow, also worsening the effects of especially cold temperatures during this storm, forecasters said on Friday morning.
‘Don’t forget the bread and milk’
Local police and fire departments have reacted to updated forecasts in recent hours, sharing these projections and reiterating warnings to stay off roads as conditions worsen.
“It’s looking like we have a pretty significant snow storm headed our way late Friday night through Saturday,” the Marlborough Police Department wrote on Thursday night.
They additionally asked residents to avoid on-street parking in compliance with the city’s winter parking ban.
“Lastly, don’t forget the bread and milk,” they wrote.
Officials in Westborough shared similar comments on Friday morning, advising residents to stay home if possible.
There will be no on-street parking in town between 7 a.m. on Saturday and 8 a.m. on Monday.
“This timeframe will allow the Westborough DPW to clear the roads in a timely manner to begin your workweek,” the police said in a statement on social media.
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