Another storm approaching: Flood watch, high wind warning issued in Massachusetts

DEDHAM, Mass. — Flood watches and a high wind warning have been issued for Massachusetts as another storm takes aim at the region after many communities were buried by more than a foot of snow on Sunday.

The Boston 25 Weather team has issued a Weather Alert for Tuesday evening into Wednesday with snow, heavy rain, flooding, and damaging wind gusts in the forecast.

This approaching system will arrive on the heels of a major weather event that prompted winter storm warnings and blanketed the region in snow.

Precipitation will arrive between 3 p.m. and 4 p.m. Tuesday ahead of the evening commute as an initial burst of snow at elevations, Spear said in her latest forecast.

“Even though it will be washed away by heavy rain, the evening commute could be quite slippery in parts of central Massachusetts and southern New Hampshire,” Boston 25 Meteorologist Spear wrote in her weather blog. “Only a coating to a few inches will fall before rain comes along.”

By 10 p.m., the snow will shift over totally to drenching rainfall, according to Spear.

“It’s going to pour overnight into Wednesday morning,” Spear said. “The heaviest rain goes probably to about 5 a.m. to 7 a.m.”

The National Weather Service has issued a flood watch for Franklin, Hampden, Middlesex, Essex, Hampshire, Norfolk, Plymouth, Bristol, Worcester, Berkshire, and Suffolk counties through Wednesday morning.

In a statement, the NWS said, “Excessive rainfall of between two the three inches falling Tuesday Night into Wednesday morning in combination with snowmelt may result in rapid stream and river rises. Snow-clogged drains may also contribute to the flood risk in poor drainage and urban areas.”

A coastal flood watch is also in effect for Barnstable, Dukes, Essex, Norfolk, Plymouth, Bristol, Nantucket, and Suffolk counties.

The Massachusetts Emergency Management Agency reminded residents to clear snow, ice, and debris from storm drains and downspouts near their property to allow water to flow through.

Last fall, many cities and towns saw extreme flooding, like in Leominster where basements were underwater, cars were stalled on roads and parking lots, and yards turned into lakes. Some homes were even on the verge of falling into sinkholes.

The NWS issued a high wind warning for Barnstable, Dukes, Essex, Plymouth, Nantucket, Bristol, and Berkshire counties.

A wind advisory is also in effect for Middlesex, Hamden, Franklin, Hampshire, Norfolk, Worcester, Suffolk, and Essex counties.

Wind gusts of 50 to 70 mph are possible in the impacted areas from Tuesday evening through Wednesday afternoon.

“Because of these strong winds, you can see an elevated risk for power outages Tuesday night into Wednesday, especially along the coastline,” Spear said.

A second Weather Alert is in the upcoming seven-day forecast for Saturday, with more rain and wind expected.

For more on Tuesday’s storm, visit the Boston 25 Weather page for updates.

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