Precipitation forecast from the National Weather Service for Tuesday. Cape Cod was expected to see less than an inch of sleet and snow before turning to all rain.
HYANNIS – The warmth of the early winter came to halt across the region Tuesday as an approaching storm threatened to deliver a mix of snow, sleet and rain.
The National Weather Service issued winter weather advisories for most of Massachusetts with the exception of Cape Cod and the Islands.
While accumulating snow is expected in areas north and west of Boston, snow and sleet that falls on Cape Cod is expected to change to all rain by early Tuesday morning.
It’s a dramatic change from near record warm temperatures that made Christmas on Cape Cod feel more like Christmas in California.
A brief period of overnight snow and sleet across Barnstable County was expected to become all rain Tuesday, with temperatures moving into the upper 40s. Winds out of the east will shift to the north with gusts near 37 mph.
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No major problems were expected on Cape Cod roadways , but wind gusts were likely to cause ferry cancellations between Hyannis and Nantucket.
Gov. Charlie Baker said Massachusetts was ready for its first snowfall of the season. Baker said the state is treating Tuesday’s storm as a “tier 1”, the lowest on a 5-tier scale.
Baker said the state is “taking all the appropriate precautions.” He said the Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority will be deicing its tracks and he expects commuter rail operators will do the same.
New England’s first major snowstorm of the season comes after the region has basked in a string of unseasonably warm days.
In the back of Baker’s mind is Boston’s record snowfall of more than nine feet last winter — including a series of pounding February snowstorms that crippled the MBTA.
The T has spent the past several months working to strengthen its storm resiliency.
More than 2,800 flights into, out of or across the U.S. have been canceled and about 4,800 have been delayed due to the large system moving through the Midwest.
Flight-tracking service FlightAware showed that of the 2,855 cancellations, more than 1,600 were at Chicago’s two main airports. Dallas/Fort Worth International Airport saw 365 cancellations; several tornadoes touched down Saturday in the Dallas suburbs.
FlightAware reports 4,779 flights were delayed.
A typical day sees about 150 cancelations and 4,000 delays.
Heavy rain and strong winds, seen Monday in parts of Missouri, Illinois and Arkansas, are often more troubling for airlines than snowfall.
The White House says President Obama has called Texas Gov. Greg Abbott to get an update on the severe weather there and to offer federal support for recovery efforts in that state.
At least 11 people died and dozens were injured in the tornadoes that swept through the Dallas area on Saturday and caused substantial damage. Other states in the Midwest and South were also hit by severe weather in the past week.
White House spokesman Eric Schultz says Obama offered condolences for those who lost their lives and for those who lost their homes in the tornadoes.
Obama made the call from Hawaii, where he is vacationing during the holidays. Schultz says the president made clear he has directed his team to work closely with the governor’s staff to provide whatever assistance may be needed.
By MATT PITTA, CapeCod.com NewsCenter, with material from The Associated Press
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