A nor’easter forming off the East Coast will make its way to Massachusetts this weekend, officials said. Here’s what to expect.
The National Weather Service issued both a storm watch and a coastal flood watch for the Bay State’s coastline over the Columbus Day/Indigenous Peoples’ Day weekend.
Boston Harbor will also be under a gale watch due to the predicted windy weather.
AccuWeather said the storm, forming off the Georgia coast, will move up towards New England by the end of the weekend.
“The upcoming weekend, especially the latter part, is shaping up to be very stormy and could be damaging and dangerous for some due to the risk of flooding and enraged seas,” AccuWeather lead hurricane expert Alex DaSilva said in a written statement.
NWS issues storm watch, coastal flood watch, and gale watch for Massachusetts
The National Weather Service issued a storm watch for the Massachusetts coastline, including Cape Cod Bay, Nantucket Sound, Vineyard Sound, Buzzard’s Bay, and Ipswich Bay. It’ll be in place from the afternoon of Sunday, Oct. 12, through the evening of Monday, Oct. 13.
The weather service said that storm-force winds and hazardous seas could capsize or damage boats and reduce visibility on the water. Mariners should stay in port or alter their course, NWS said.
The entire coast of Massachusetts will also be under a coastal flood watch from the morning of Sunday, Oct. 12, through the night of Monday, Oct. 13, according to NWS.
Flooding of 1 to 2 feet above ground level is possible in low-lying areas near shorelines, NWS said. You’ll still be able to drive, the weather service said, but rough surf will probably cause some splashover onto coastal roads.
You shouldn’t drive around barricades or through water of unknown depth, according to NWS.
The weather service also issued a gale watch for Boston Harbor, as strong winds are expected from Sunday, Oct. 12, through Monday, Oct. 13. Waves of up to 2 to 3 feet are possible, NWS said. Mariners should avoid this area.
Boston area weekend weather forecast
According to the National Weather Service, a sunny day is expected in Massachusetts on Saturday, Oct. 11, with a high of 67 degrees Fahrenheit – the calm before the storm.
The rain could roll in as early as Saturday night after 9 p.m., NWS said.
On Sunday, Oct. 12, the skies will be cloudy, with a high of 62 degrees, NWS said. There will be a chance of rain and winds of 10 to 16 mph with gusts as high as 26 mph. Sunday night will bring rain and more wind.
On Monday, Oct. 13, which is Columbus Day and Indigenous Peoples’ Day, it’ll be cloudy and breezy, with a high of 61 degrees, winds of 17 to 20 mph, and gusts of up to 31 mph, according to NWS. Rain is likely throughout the evening.
The Boston area could see rain showers every day next week, NWS said.
A woman tries to stay dry from the driving rain as she crosses S 2nd Street in New Bedford.
When will rain begin to fall in MA?
In Boston, there’s a chance of rain on Saturday, Oct. 11, after 9 p.m., NWS said.
In Springfield, the first raindrops could fall Saturday night after 10 p.m., according to the weather service.
In Lowell, rain could begin Saturday night after 11 p.m., NWS said. In Fall River, it could start to get wet after midnight.
Worcester, Hyannis, and Plymouth could see rain early Sunday, Oct. 12, after 2 a.m., according to NWS.
Seth Jacobson of the USA Today Network contributed to this report.
This article originally appeared on The Patriot Ledger: MA Weather: See timing of weekend Nor’easter expect to slam state
