DATE: December 23, 2014
TIME: 9:30 AM
SUBJECT: Heavy Rains and Strong Winds Tuesday through Thursday
Situation
A weak low pressure system moving up the coast will bring periods of rain today and early tonight. Pockets of freezing rain are expected in the Berkshires through mid-morning with light ice accumulations on untreated roadways, bridges and overpasses.
A strong storm will bring heavy rain, gusty winds and minor coastal flooding Wednesday into Thursday morning.
Heavy Rain
Totals of 1.5 to 2.5 inches are expected today through Thursday morning, with some locations possibly receiving 3 inches.
Most of the rain will fall Wednesday night. The rain, along with snowmelt will cause streams and rivers to rise. Some minor flooding is possible on a few rivers and streams, as well as in urban and low-lying areas.
Coastal Flooding
A coastal flood advisory remains in effect from 9 am this morning to 3 pm this afternoon for the eastern Massachusetts coast for the midday high tide cycle, which occurs between 1130 am and 1245 pm. Minor coastal flooding and minor beach erosion with a storm surge of 1 to 1.5 ft may accompany this storm. Some of the most vulnerable shore roads may experience flooding within an hour of the midday high tide. Brief road closures are possible.
Another round of minor coastal flooding is possible along the eastern Massachusetts coast during the midday high tide on Wednesday. Another coastal flood advisory may be issued for this high tide cycle later today.
Along the South Coast, the highest surge should occur at low tide early Thursday morning. Minor coastal flooding is no longer expected.
Strong Winds
Isolated gusts to 50 mph are possible across southeast Massachusetts late Wednesday night, especially if any thunderstorms develop (which is unlikely at this time).
West to Southwest winds may gust as high as 45mph on Thursday across much of the area.
Along the South Coast, the strongest winds should occur at low tide early Thursday morning.
Attachments
Updated forecast products from the National Weather Service offices in Taunton and Albany are attached to this email.
MEMA Operations
The State Emergency Operations Center is operating at Level 1 (Steady State Monitoring). MEMA will continue to monitor the forecast and will disseminate Situational Awareness Statements as necessary. At this time, MEMA is expecting to remain at Level 1 throughout the upcoming storms.
Stay Informed
For additional information and updated forecasts, visit:
www.weather.gov/boston (National Weather Service Taunton)
www.weather.gov/albany (National Weather Service Albany)
www.spc.noaa.gov (Storm Prediction Center)
http://www.weather.gov/nerfc/ (Northeast River Forecast Center)
http://mema.mapsonline.net/public.html (MEMA’s Power Outage Website)
Utilize Massachusetts Alerts to receive emergency notifications and information from the Massachusetts Emergency Management Agency and the National Weather Service. Massachusetts Alerts is powered by a free app that is available for Android and iPhones. To learn more about Massachusetts Alerts, and for information on how to download the free app (called Massachusetts Alerts) onto your smartphone, visit: www.mass.gov/mema/mobileapp.
Kurt Schwartz
Undersecretary, Homeland Security & Emergency Management
Director, Massachusetts Emergency Management Agency
Massachusetts Executive Office of Public Safety and Security
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