Winter Storm Watch Issued for Cape and Vineyard, Warning Issued West of Canal

BARNSTABLE – It is officially spring but it seems like winter wants to hand around for a few more days.

A Winter Storm Watch has been issued for Cape Cod and Martha’s Vineyard from 5 p.m. through tomorrow morning and a Winter Storm Warning will be in effect from 7 p.m. through 11 a.m. for Plymouth and Bristol Counties.

There could be up to 6 inches of snow on the Upper Cape and the Vineyard with lower total expected on the the Lower and Outer Cape. Higher totals are expected west of the Cape Cod Canal.

“What we are evaluating right now for Cape Cod and the Islands is exactly who is going to see some rain mix in or change over to rain for a period of time,” said Alan Dunham, a meteorologist with the National Weather Service.

Dunham said power outages from this storm are a concern.

“With the consistency of this snow and the temperatures right around the freezing mark, I would anticipate snow building up on branches,” he said. “So I would expect at least some power outages.”

Motorists should also give themselves extra time if heading out in the morning as road conditions may be challenging heading from east to west across the Cape.

“Going off Cape and going up either 495 or Route 3, I would expect a very messy commute with still snow heavy at times right up through mid to late morning,” Dunham said.

By BRIAN MERCHANT, CapeCod.com NewsCenter