Here we are approaching the midway point in November and a wintry storm is bearing down on Southern New England. The storm will bring everything from snow to sleet to freezing rain and rain. Of course, as seemingly always the case, where you live plays a huge role in what you’ll get. As usual, the change to sleet and rain will happen first near the coast and last inland. Freezing rain is possible in inland CT as the cold air hangs on near the surface.
This will likely not be a major snowstorm for anyone in Connecticut, Rhode Island or Eastern Massachusetts, but nearly everyone will see some flakes flying. The exception may be along the immediate coast – especially Cape Cod and the Islands where it could start as sleet or rain. The best chance for a plowable snow is north and west of Interstate 95. The x-factor in the forecast is how quickly the snow changes to sleet. I think it happens fairly quickly in most spots. Thus, the modest snowfall accumulation forecast. If the timing of the changeover is off by a couple of hours, that will easily double the snow totals that you see projected below.
The first flakes arrive in southwest CT 3-5 pm, and then reach RI 5-7 pm. A changeover to sleet is likely from south to north within 1-4 hours of the first snowflakes. A change from sleet to rain is also likely by midnight near the coast, and a bit later inland. Pockets of freezing rain are possible in inland CT overnight.
The wind will be gusty, especially near the coast. Expect some 30 mph gusts late at night into early Friday morning.
I do not expect treacherous travel in most areas Friday morning because the temperature should be above freezing with just wet roads. The exception may be in parts of inland CT where the temperature hovers near freezing.
The storm ends from west to east between 10 am – 2 pm. It may end as a burst of snow in CT, but I do not expect it to amount to much. The temperature will be in the 30s/40s on Friday, but fall to near or below freezing Friday night.
