Dust off those barely touched shovels and snow blowers.
In a winter that has seen very little snowfall, a “plowable snow event” is expected to arrive just as meteorological winter ends with February coming to a close. Officials are warning of “difficult travel conditions” with the heaviest snow falling ahead of the Tuesday morning commute.
Flakes should start flying in the Boston-area after the Monday evening commute, in the 8 p.m. to 9 p.m. timeframe. The heaviest snow should occur late Monday night into early Tuesday morning.
The forecast for the Boston-area shows 3 to 4 inches of snow, with more than 4 inches along Interstate 495 and further west could see more than 6 inches.
“For the Tuesday morning commute, you’ll want to plan extra time,” Bill Simpson, meteorologist at the National Weather Service’s Boston office, told the Herald on Sunday. “Most of the snow will fall overnight, and it doesn’t take much to slow things down.
“It’s been a quiet winter thus far, so this is kind of the first plowable snow event across the region,” he added.
The highest uncertainty in snowfall amounts is in eastern Massachusetts. Temperatures will rise from the 20s early Tuesday morning to the mid-30s by 8 a.m., leading to a transition to rain for the rest of the day.
After early forecast models showed the potential for a significant major winter storm, the National Weather Service reiterated that this system is “definitely NOT a blockbuster/major snowstorm.”
“Again, not a blockbuster snowstorm but a plowable snow event, impacting travel with snow covered roads late Monday evening, overnight and into Tuesday,” reads the National Weather Service’s forecast discussion.
A Winter Weather Advisory has been issued for much of Massachusetts for Monday night through Tuesday evening.
“Travel could be very difficult,” the National Weather Service wrote in its alert. “The Tuesday morning commute is our biggest concern… Slow down and use caution while traveling.”
The Massachusetts Department of Transportation is warning motorists ahead of the wintry weather.
“Current forecasts indicate most of Massachusetts will have snow and low visibility Monday night into Tuesday which will create difficult travel conditions, especially during the Tuesday morning commute,” Highway Administrator Jonathan Gulliver said in a statement.
“Members of the public are urged to plan ahead, allow for extra time, plan to travel at reduced speeds, and anticipate slippery conditions, especially on secondary roads and local streets,” Gulliver added.
Boston has recorded only 10.7 inches of snow so far this winter, which is well below the normal 37.3 inches of snow by this time of the year.
“The Boston Public Works Department has been receiving deliveries of salt to district yards across the city to replenish stock, and will have crews and contractors ready to treat and clear roadways as necessary,” the city of Boston said in a statement. “The City continues to closely monitor the storm and will respond accordingly.”
