Major Snow Threat Grows Amid 'Dangerous Cold' Blast Across MA: See Latest Forecast

MASSACHUSETTS — Chances are increasing that southern New England will be in the strike zone of a massive winter storm that is expected to batter much of the East Coast with damaging snow and ice this weekend.

Forecasts on Wednesday morning were calling for the storm to trend farther north — bringing precipitation to Massachusetts in the midst of the coldest arctic blast of the past two years and creating a prolonged stretch of snow that could pile up amid the frigid temperatures.

CBS Boston meteorologist Terry Eliasen called the setup "absolutely classic."

"Over the next few days, there will be a massive area of high pressure descending southward from Canada into the middle of the country, bringing with it record-setting cold," Eliasen posted on the CBS Boston website on Wednesday morning. "At the same time, a moisture-filled river of Pacific air will invade the southern tier, supplying the developing storm with loads of moisture.

"The result: The biggest winter storm the United States has seen this year, and perhaps in several years."

While the storm is still days away, forecasters said on Wednesday that even a "glancing shot" could mean plowable snow on Sunday because of the "fluff factor" of cold temperatures, with the chance that a coastal front could develop and make the snow linger into Monday, really ramping up totals.

The National Weather Service, however, was still calling for just a 50 percent chance of snow Sunday and Sunday night, and a 30 percent chance of snow on Monday.

What is certain is that the snow will arrive amid a blast of dangerous cold air that will cause wind chills to plummet well below zero Friday night into Saturday.

There was a snow threat for Wednesday as well, with showers developing in the evening and up to 2 inches possible in the interior locations of Massachusetts.

Thursday will be the most pleasant day of the week — by far, unless you are a cold and snow enthusiast — with mostly sunny skies, a light southwest wind, and high temperatures in the 40s, according to the NWS.

The arctic air begins to arrive on Friday with a high temperature of 30, falling during the day as the winds shift to the west with gusts to 26 mph.

Friday night will be bitterly cold with a low temperature of 4 degrees and strong westerly winds making it feel well below zero.

It will remain that way throughout Saturday with a high of 14 degrees and a punishing northwest wind gusting to 30 mph.

Saturday night will be another frigid one with a low of 5 degrees.

The NWS said snow could develop anytime after 7 a.m. on Sunday as temperatures hover in the teens throughout the day.

Snow is expected to continue into Sunday night, with the best chance of a significant accumulation coming if the storm lingers into Monday.

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