BARNSTABLE – As rain falls on Cape Cod and winds pick up, emergency officials are warning travelers of a significant winter storm that will impact Massachusetts and the New England region.
The storm began early this morning and will last through early Thanksgiving morning, significantly impacting travel in the region during the Thanksgiving holiday.
Rain began on the Cape this morning and precipitation has turned to snow across central and western Massachusetts, and precipitation, either rain or snow, is now falling statewide.
Travel conditions have begun deteriorating statewide due to accumulating snow and poor visibility , with 1/4 mile or less visibility in central and western Massachusetts.
The Wednesday evening rush hour is expected to be significantly impacted by the storm.
Heaviest snow is expected in the noon to 8 pm timeframe. Total snowfall accumulations are forecast to be 6-10 inches north and west of I-495, with totals of up to 8-12 inches in the Worcester Hills and 10-14 inches in the Berkshires.
Areas inside Rt. 128 could see about 1 inch of slushy snow along the coast, and up to 5 inches away from the immediate coastline.
Snow will be wet and heavy. Downed tree branches and scattered power outages are possible.
Fifty mile per hour wind gusts are forecast across coastal Plymouth and Bristol County and the Cape and Islands.
Precipitation will taper off starting around 10 pm to midnight Wednesday and end completely except for scattered snow showers by 7 am on Thanksgiving.
