News Flash

Incident or Event Overview

Situation

The National Weather Service (NWS) in conjunction with the MEMA Agency Meteorologist are predicting a strong winter storm to impact the Commonwealth on Tuesday. Snow begins to spread from southwest to northeast during the pre-dawn hours Tuesday. While most areas will experience all snow from this system, areas across the Southcoast and Cape Cod will likely see a mix of wet snow and rain initially. This will gradually change over to all snow as the storm intensifies offshore. The islands will likely remain mostly rain with some wet snow mixing in at times. The strongest portion of the storm will occur during the mid-morning hours through the mid afternoon as snowfall rates approach 1-3 inches per hour. This can cause dangerous driving conditions as well as lead to the threat for power outages. Any heavy bursts of snow will taper to snow showers and end from west to east Tuesday evening as the storm shifts offshore.

Astronomical high tides in conjunction with an onshore wind will lead to widespread instances of minor coastal flooding with pockets of moderate flooding possible across the eastern shoreline. Any moderate flooding can inundate local homes, business, and cause road closures.

Scattered power outages are possible, especially across southeastern Massachusetts where the snow load and wind gusts will be the highest. Wind gusts will generally range between 25-35 mph across much of the state with high gusts of 50-60 across Cape Cod and the Islands.

Drier but colder weather is slated for the remainder of the week. Another light snowfall event may occur over the weekend as a weak area of low-pressure slides southward from Canada.

Hazard Impacts/Potential Impacts

• Dangerous travel conditions are likely to exist.
• Heavy, wet snow and strong winds may result in downed trees.
• Heavy snowfall and high winds may result in power outages.
• Minor to moderate flooding in coastal areas is likely.
• Sea conditions likely to become dangerous during peak winds.

Weather Forecast Overview

Watches, Warnings or Advisories for Massachusetts

Weather Graphics

Preparedness and Response Actions

Safety and Security

Massachusetts State Police (MSP):

• All State Police Troops and sub-stations are monitoring the winter weather forecast. Troop and Station Commanders will ensure sufficient staffing levels exist to maintain proper storm patrols to monitor roadway conditions, check on any stranded motorists, and respond to traffic incidents.

Energy (power & fuel)

Department of Public Utilities (DPU):

EDC plans and preparations:

Eversource:

• Actively monitoring weather forecasts;
• No ERP event declaration;
• Securing additional contractor crews;
• Conducting Incident Management Team calls; and
• Adjusting plans as needed.

National Grid:

• Declaring a Type 4 ERP event as of 10:00 PM, Monday (02/12/24):
• Restoration activities are typically accomplished in less than 24 hours; and
• Typically 0 to 3% customer interruptions (0 to 39,000 customers) at peak.
• Opening  Storm room(s) at 10:00 PM, Monday (02/12/24):
  • Brockton;
  • Malden;
  • North Andover; and
  • Worcester;
• Securing additional, external crews;
• Outbound life support and critical facility calls conducted Sunday afternoon (02/11/24 at 3pm); and
• Pre-staging crews on Nantucket and in areas of greatest anticipated threat.

Public Works & Engineering

Department of Conservation and Recreation (DCR):

Mobilization:

All DCR regions have reached out to staff to preplan staffing and equipment for this storm event. DCR Forestry will have saw crews available during times of high wind and heavy snowfall to assist Operations staff with downed trees.  Mechanics will be onsite at all staffed depots to address equipment issues. Additional plans and start times will be finalized Monday morning, based on changes in the forecast.   

DCR Storm Center Activation Status:

The DCR Storm Center will activate for this storm event. Time to be determined based on the forecast.

DOC:

DOC Crews will be requested to the following locations for 5:00 AM Wednesday, February 14, 2024:

• Cambridge
• Neponset
• Southwest Corridor
• Revere
• Nahant
• Stoneham

MEMA Operations

The State Emergency Operations Center is operating at Level I (Steady State/Monitoring).

MEMA’s Eastern and Western Regional Emergency Operations Centers (REOCs) will activate from 7:00am-5:00pm tomorrow.  Local Coordinators will be actively monitoring the situation and making proactive outreach to communities as the storm progresses through the Commonwealth.  Local Coordinators can be reached directly with operational needs. 

The “2024 February Incidents” Incident in WebEOC will be monitored for this event. 

MEMA will continue to monitor the situation and will disseminate additional Situational Awareness Statements (SAS) this evening.

Safety Tips for Specific Threats and Hazards

• Nor'easter & Coastal Storm Safety Tips https://www.mass.gov/info-details/noreaster-coastal-storm-safety-tips
• Extreme Cold Safety Tips https://www.mass.gov/info-details/extreme-cold-safety-tips
• Winter Storm Safety Tips https://www.mass.gov/info-details/winter-storm-safety-tips
• Winter Weather Driving https://www.mass.gov/winter-weather-driving
• Winter Pet Safety Tips https://www.mass.gov/service-details/winter-pet-safety-tips
• Power Outage Safety Tips https://www.mass.gov/info-details/power-outage-safety-tips
• Flood Safety Tips https://www.mass.gov/info-details/flood-safety-tips

Stay Informed

For additional information and updated forecasts, see https://www.weather.gov/box/ (NWS Boston/Norton), and https://www.weather.gov/aly/ (NWS Albany).

Use MEMA’s real-time power outage map to stay informed about current power outages in your community/county, and across the state, including information from utility providers http://mema.mapsonline.net/public.html

Online Resources

Massachusetts Emergency Management Agency www.mass.gov/mema  

MEMA’s Facebook page https://www.facebook.com/MassachusettsEMA

MEMA Twitter https://twitter.com/MassEMA

Federal Emergency Management Agency https://www.fema.gov/

National Weather Service Boston/Norton https://www.weather.gov/box/

National Weather Service Albany NY https://www.weather.gov/aly/

NOAA/NWS Storm Prediction Center https://www.spc.noaa.gov/

Northeast River Forecast Center https://www.weather.gov/nerfc/

National Hurricane Center https://www.nhc.noaa.gov/

Mass 211 https://mass211.org/

Report developed by: Kyle Garner, All-Hazards Planner

24/7 MEMA Dispatch Phone # (508) 820-2000