Heads Up, Bay Staters: Winter Weather Advisory Issued Ahead of Another Storm System
Just as many Massachusetts residents wrapped up their post-Christmas cleanup, Mother Nature decided to deliver another wintry punch. The National Weather Service has issued a Winter Weather Advisory across a wide swath of the state, signaling a return to hazardous travel conditions as a fast-moving clipper system sweeps through the region.
The advisory is generally in effect from Friday evening, December 26, through Saturday morning, December 27, and covers central, eastern, southeastern, and western Massachusetts. This quick-hitting storm is expected to create slick, messy roads and potentially disrupt late Friday and early Saturday travel plans, especially for those heading home after the holiday week.
Snow Totals and Warning Areas
While this system is moving quickly, it will still bring a measurable and plowable accumulation of snow. Forecasters are predicting a general accumulation of **2 to 4 inches** across the advisory area, which includes major population centers. However, there are a few hotspots where conditions will be more severe.
The National Weather Service has upgraded its alert to a **Winter Storm Warning** for Western Hampden County, where residents should prepare for the heaviest snow—forecasted to be between **5 and 8 inches**. Elsewhere, areas like Northern Middlesex County may see accumulations in the **3 to 5-inch** range. Some towns in Worcester County and points west could even see isolated totals exceeding six inches of light, fluffy snow as the storm reaches its peak intensity overnight.
Travel and Safety Impact
With snow beginning to spread from west to east between 9 p.m. and midnight on Friday, transportation officials are urging motorists to use extreme caution. The hazardous road conditions are a major concern, particularly coinciding with the Friday evening commute and post-holiday trips. Drivers are advised to slow down, increase following distances, and stay clear of plow trucks and other vehicles treating the roadways.
In anticipation of the snowfall, the City of Worcester has already taken action by declaring a Declared Winter Parking Ban, effective at 8 p.m. Friday. Residents in the city are being asked to move their vehicles to designated free municipal garages to allow for effective snow removal.
Prepare for the Cold and the Cleanup
This latest round of winter weather arrives just weeks after an earlier, significant storm—a “bomb cyclone”—hit the Northeast in early December, bringing heavy snow, ice, and widespread disruptions across the region.
With temperatures expected to plummet into the single digits and teens after the storm clears on Saturday, utility companies like National Grid are already securing crews and personnel to respond to potential issues like downed power lines, which can be a risk with wet, dense snow.
Local authorities recommend that everyone have an emergency kit ready, which should include extra blankets, flashlights, and a supply of bottled water and non-perishable food. Residents who are able are also reminded of their civic duty to clear the sidewalks abutting their property within 10 hours of the storm’s end and to shovel snow away from fire hydrants to aid first responders.
As the snow winds down early Saturday, the latter half of the day promises cold but sunny conditions. It will be a beautiful, though blustery, day for cleanup, so bundle up, put on your waterproof gear, and be ready to face the elements.