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February 12, 2008

Update: Snow expected, then flooding possible

The National Weather Service has issued a winter weather advisory, effective at 5 p.m., for "a significant winter storm" expected to affect southern New England late this afternoon into tomorrow.

A storm is expected to two to four inches of snow to much of southern New England, four to six inches north and west of Boston before turning to rain.

And when it turns to rain, it could bring other problems -- flooding. The National Weather Service has also put out a flood watch for Rhode Island and neighboring places for tomorrow morning through Thursday morning. It means flooding potential based on current forecasts.

But first, snow should develop near the end of this evening's rush hour, becoming heavy at times late tonight, before mixing with sleet and freezing rain by midnight, according to the National Weather Service.

Some cities and towns have already instituted parking bans. Afternoon and evening activities have been canceled at some schools. Check here for more information.

Mixed precipitation is expected to change to all rain between 5 a.m. and 9 a.m. tomorrow. The winter weather advisory continues until 9 a.m. tomorrow.

But then the flood watch goes into effect into Thursday.

The service said one to two inches of rain are expected to fall tomorrow between 7 a.m. and mid afternoon. Runoff from this rainfall, coupled with some snow melt, will lead to the potential for "significant urban and poor drainage flooding." Areas of slush-covered storm drains and underpasses are also a flooding risk.

Some smaller rivers and streams may rise out of banks tomorrow and into tomorrow night. That includes but is not limited to the Pawtuxet River in Cranston and other rivers more north in Massachusetts.

Posted by Jack Perry  at 12:10 PM | Permalink

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