Nor’easter continues overnight with powerful winds, rain, and snow

Despite temperatures dropping and a change-over from rain to wintry elements to the north and west, Boston and much of Southern New England will only see rain for much of the day. There is the potential for the rain to switch over to a wintry mix for higher elevations across Worcester County and parts of western Massachusetts later tonight as colder air dips into northern and central Massachusetts. The Berkshires and Worcester Hills may see all snow in the overnight hours.

It won’t be frigid, but overnight temps should land in the low 30s and staying that way Thursday. It looks like the most intense rain and snow will be from late this evening through Thursday afternoon.

I’m thinking the Mass Pike (I-90) will be the dividing line now between rain and snow, staying all rain south of the interstate while areas north will see a turn from rain, to a wintry mix, and then moments of just snow. Towns south of the Pike have been hit with a lot of rain lately, and unfortunately I’m thinking this system has enough energy to bring another 1 to 3 inches today through Thursday night.

Flood watches and warnings have been issued for parts of Rhode Island and southeastern Massachusetts as river levels may rise late tonight and last through Friday. With winds coming in from the east, northeast “coastal inundation” will mean pockets of flooding for roadways and property along the coast. This will mainly be from overnight tonight through Thursday.

The entire Northern New England tri-state area is under some level of winter storm warning or advisory through Friday morning. Vermont, New Hampshire, and Maine are in for a mostly snow event that started in the afternoon in Vermont and in the evening in Maine. With it being April, elevation will affect snowfall totals since this system thrives on the cold air.

Wet, heavy snow will total 6 inches to a foot through much of mountainous Vermont. New Hampshire will see more jackpot totals of 12 to 18 inches and higher to 24 inches farther north, especially in the higher elevations. Southern New Hampshire, including Concord and Manchester, could see a push toward 12 inches or more.

Eastern Maine should see snow totals between 1 to 2 feet — such a wide range because of varying elevations. Coastal Maine should be closer to 3 to 6 inches, but shortly inland totals rise fast towards a foot.

Though the snow-rain line dipped south a bit, I’m still thinking Boston will see no accumulating snow. There may be a couple of flakes on the back end of the storm, but nothing that sticks. However, there can be a coating to an inch or two along the Mass Pike once you pass Framingham. Western Massachusetts, especially along Route 2 from northern Worcester County to North Adams, may see 3 to 6 inches of snow, with Mount Wachusett and the higher peaks of the Berkshires seeing closer to 10 inches.

Powerful and damaging winds with this storm will be disruptive. Most of New England are seeing mild wind gusts of 15 to 20 mph. Wind speeds should increase as the day progresses, with a noticeable difference this afternoon. Inland wind gusts should increase to 40 miles per hour tonight and higher along the coastline, where some gusts can reach 60 miles per hour. This system will be bringing onshore winds, which will make low-lying coastal areas at risk for minor flooding. High wind watches and warnings are in effect from this afternoon and lasting through Thursday.

Combine strong winds with sticking, heavy snow and there will be the concern for widespread power outages, especially overnight this evening and into Thursday morning.

Ken Mahan can be reached at ken.mahan@globe.com. Follow him on Instagram @kenmahantheweatherman.