Super High Winds and Possible Snow Squalls Are in Boston’s Forecast

Map of high winds recorded as of 9 a.m. Monday NWS Boston

Forecasters are warning that power outages are imminent as high winds blow into Boston Monday, possibly carrying snow squalls with them.

Commuters Monday morning got a first taste of this system when a snow squall appeared suddenly after 8 a.m., briefly providing near whiteout conditions.

Web cam (via Tim Kelley & Blue Hill obs) atop of the Prudential building in #Boston #MA capturing #snow #squall approaching the city from the west. More snow squalls into this afternoon but not as organized as this morning. Nonetheless be on the look out. #CT #RI pic.twitter.com/dZJqt5fK4C

— NWS Boston (@NWSBoston) February 25, 2019

There may be more where that came from. The National Weather Service is tracking bands of snow squalls that could arrive in Boston this afternoon.

“We can’t completely rule it out, ” says Nicole Belk, meteorologist at the NWS outpost in Norton, who points to moisture-laden winds traveling across the Great Lakes as a possible engine for more of the quick bouts of snowfall.

[9 am] more #snow #squalls upstream across #NY and heading into #MA and #CT. Be prepared for brief heavy snow, near white conditions & snow covered roads. Again, these squalls are very narrow so not every town will be impacted. Nonetheless be prepared. pic.twitter.com/84Xl9ON9SF

— NWS Boston (@NWSBoston) February 25, 2019

In the meantime, it’s all this whipping wind that we really have to keep an eye on. Southern New England is expected to see sustained winds around 20-35 miles per hour and gusts as high as 65 miles per hour. Already by 9 a.m., the NWS was recording gusts in the mid-40s at Logan Airport. A high wind warning has been issued for the Boston area until 7 p.m.

We’re not alone—high winds are being felt as far south as Pennsylvania. “We have a low pressure system that passed to our north overnight,” Belk says. “It’s actually out in the Canadian Maritimes, in the vicinity of Newfoundland and Labrador, and it’s rapidly intensifying today.”

By 10 a.m., NWS and Eversource were already tracking power outages across the state.

[10 am] not surprising power outages on the increase and unfortunately will continue into this afternoon across #MA #RI #CT pic.twitter.com/Ox2EqB9bti

— NWS Boston (@NWSBoston) February 25, 2019

Winds are toppling 🌲🌲 and bringing down power lines with them. ⚠️ Always stay away from downed wires and assume they are live. 📞 9-1-1 immediately and please report it to us by calling 800-592-2000 (EMA) or
877-659-6326 (WMA). We’re there when you need us.

— Eversource MA (@EversourceMA) February 25, 2019