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Wednesday's Snowstorm: What To Expect

BOSTON (CBS) - Here we go again, gas up the snowblowers and ready the plows for another widespread snow accumulation

Let's get right to the details.

2017-Weather-Alert-Impacts-2
(WBZ-TV Graphic)

7 a.m.-Noon:

The brunt of the storm falls within this time frame. Moderate to heavy snow falls in all areas north and west of Boston.

Wed12pm
(WBZ-TV graphic)

The rain/snow line will make steady northward progress and likely reach about as far north as Boston and Cape Ann by midday.

Wed2pm
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Travel Impact: High

Snow on the ground by Noon: 3-6"north and west of Boston, 1-3" of slop Boston and areas just to the south

Noon-5 p.m.:

The storm is a fast mover (thankfully) and the snow tapers off during the afternoon hours. Nothing left but a few flurries after 4 p.m.

Wed4pm
(WBZ-TV graphic)

Travel Impact: High but improving

Final snow totals:

5"-7" – I-495 from Worcester to Marlboro to Lawrence and Haverhill and all points north and west from there including southern New Hampshire and Vermont (a fairly light, fluffy snow here)

Wedtotals
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3"-5" – Area in between I-495 and Rt 128 including a large part of Essex county and eastern Middlesex county (a slightly heavier snow here)

1"-3" – The immediate coastline from Cape Ann to Cape Cod will see 1-3" of snow, much of which will be washed away on Cape Cod as the change to rain occurs.

The good news, no real wind or coastal concerns with this storm, main impact is simply snow.

Warning
(WBZ-TV graphic)

What's Next:

Well, it is only mid-January and this looks like it will be our 4th significant snowstorm for the region, likely pushing Boston close to 30" already (about a foot above the average for this date). Front-loaded winter? Yep.

Mild
(WBZ-TV graphic)

However, January thaw part 2 arrives this weekend with highs at least in the 40s (if not 50). And, our next storm system looks like rain early next week. Finally, the overall pattern through the remainder of January is for a ridge in the eastern U.S. and a trough in the West (this is the opposite of where we have been thus far this winter). So the likelihood for more significant snow in the next 1-2 weeks is relatively low.

Follow Terry on Twitter @TerryWBZ

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