Narrow Snow Band Targets Boston to North Shore as Uncertain Placement Brings 2–5 Inches for Most, Isolated 8-Inch Totals Possible
MASSACHUSETTS & RHODE ISLAND — A fast-evolving winter system is setting up across eastern New England on Saturday, bringing mostly moderate snowfall for much of the region, but with a narrow, hard-to-pinpoint snow band that could deliver significantly higher totals in a small corridor, including parts of the Boston metro and the North Shore.
Forecasters stress that this is a high-uncertainty setup, where small shifts in the snow band’s position could make the difference between a routine winter day and a much more disruptive one for a few communities.
Most Areas Expect 2–5 Inches, With Lighter Snow Inland
Current projections show most of eastern Massachusetts and Rhode Island picking up 2–5 inches of snow, with lower amounts farther inland across central and western Massachusetts, where totals closer to 1–3 inches are expected.
The bulk of the snowfall is forecast to fall before 3 p.m. Saturday, meaning the greatest impacts will be concentrated during the late morning and early afternoon hours.
Narrow Band Could Produce 5–8+ Inches in a Small Zone
The biggest wildcard in this forecast is a thin but potentially intense snow band, highlighted on the map from near the Boston area northward toward the North Shore. Within this zone, localized snowfall totals of 5–8 inches or slightly higher are possible if the band sets up overhead for even a few hours.
Meteorologists caution that placing this band precisely is extremely difficult, and while the outlined zone is the most likely area for higher totals, the band could shift east or west during the day, changing who sees the worst conditions.
Timing and Coastal Impacts
Snow develops through the morning, with Cape Cod seeing most of its snowfall later in the day, primarily during the late afternoon and evening. Coastal areas may see slightly lower totals overall, but snowfall rates could briefly increase if the band brushes the shoreline.
Because temperatures remain cold, snow will accumulate efficiently, even where totals stay on the lower end of the forecast range.
Travel Impacts Expected Despite Moderate Totals
Even in areas receiving only 2–3 inches, snow-covered roads and reduced visibility are likely during the heaviest bursts. In locations that end up under the narrow band, rapid accumulation could overwhelm plowing operations for a time, especially around the Boston metro.
Drivers should be prepared for rapidly changing conditions, particularly if traveling north or south along the Interstate 95 corridor.
What to Know Before Heading Out
- Most of eastern MA & RI: 2–5 inches
- Localized band: 5–8+ inches possible near Boston/North Shore
- Inland western MA: 1–3 inches
- Heaviest snow: Before 3 p.m. Saturday
- Biggest risk: Sudden band shift changing totals dramatically
Bottom Line
This is not a classic widespread heavy snowstorm, but it is also far from a guaranteed low-impact event. Most communities will see manageable snowfall, yet a small, narrow corridor could end up with much higher totals if the snow band locks in place. Residents across eastern Massachusetts and Rhode Island should stay alert for last-minute forecast changes.
For continued updates, snowfall adjustments, and local impact tracking, stay with WaldronNews.com for the latest regional weather coverage.