Tuesday, February 13, 7:30 am:
A nor'easter is expected to bring heavy snow, wind, and flooding to the Cape, the South Coast, and the Islands.
The National Weather Service reports that the heaviest snow will begin in the early afternoon and dump up to eight inches on the islands, up to nine inches on the Cape, and up to 10 inches on the South Coast.
A high-wind warning and a coastal-flood warning both take effect at noon. Winds will gust out of the northeast to 50 mph on parts of the Cape, and up to 60 mph on the islands. Wind could blow down trees and power lines.
Coastal flooding is possible for roads near Edgartown Harbor, Nantucket Harbor, and Five Corners in Vineyard Haven.
Monday, February 12, 7:30 pm:
A powerful winter storm is headed our way, with the potential for the heaviest snowfall of the season on the South Coast, Cape Cod and the Islands.
Ahead of the winter storm, local school districts have called off classes for Tuesday.
The Steamship Authority has canceled most of its Tuesday service.
The 6:30 trip of the Eagle from Nantucket to Hyannis is still on, however the remainder of Nantucket service for Tuesday has been canceled.
Service on the Martha's Vineyard route will be on a trip-by-trip basis. The Sankaty will make one round trip on Tuesday to carry fuel only.
Precipitation will likely change over to heavy wet snow by 8 on Tuesday morning.
The heaviest snowfall is expected between 10 a.m. and 5 p.m on the South Coast and Cape Cod.
Areas near the Cape Cod Canal could see four to eight inches of snow, with one to three inches on the Outer Cape.
4 to 10 inches of snow could fall in the South Coast from Monday night into Tuesday.
The National Weather Service has also issued a High Wind Warning for the Cape and Islands, for Tuesday.
North winds from 25 to 35 mph are expected, with gusts up to 60 mph. The strongest winds are expected to occur between 1 p.m. and 7 p.m.
Tree and power line damage, and power outages are possible.
A Coastal Flood Warning is in effect from noon to 5 p.m. on Tuesday for the Cape and Islands. Two to three feet of inundation above ground level is expected in low-lying areas near shorelines and tidal waterways.
Erosion is likely in low-lying coastal areas.
The National Weather Service has issued marine storm warnings.
Seas to 16 feet are possible and mariners are advised to remain in port, alter course or secure their vessel in preparation of severe conditions.
National Weather Service meteorologist Matthew Belk says snowfall was not easy to predict.
“Especially as you get out to New Bedford and the South Coast, and even the South Shore, that's starting to look like the jackpot area because they are not surrounded by water as the Cape and Islands are.”
Belk says snowfall will likely vary.
“It’s certainly looking like a plowable snowfall across the South Coast, Southeastern Massachuseetts and maybe even to the Upper Cape. It’s a little more complicated by the time you get to the outer Cape, Nantucket and Martha’s Vineyard.”
Winds, to 60 miles per hour will accompany the snowfall. Beach erosion is expected in typically hard-hit areas
“Those would be the ones we will be looking at,” Belk said.
He noted that areas that suffer repeated storm damage are especially vulnerable.
“But there’s also the areas where the dunes have been damaged by prior storms. But certainly compromised dunes and coastal barriers are another area of concern.”
Monday, February 12, 11:30 am:
The region’s first major snowstorm of the year, expected to begin Tuesday afternoon, will bring several inches to Cape Cod and the South Coast.
The National Weather Service is forecasting a 24-hour winter storm watch, effective 1:00 a.m. Tuesday. Expect rain to become snow by early afternoon, with between three and five inches on Cape Cod, and between seven and 11 inches on the South Coast. Up to two inches is expected on Martha’s Vineyard and Nantucket.
Northeast wind gusts of 55 miles per hour are expected on the Cape, with coastal flooding likely in areas including Provincetown, Truro, Edgartown, and Vineyard Haven.
Check here for updates from the National Weather Service.
