MA Snowstorm Timing: See When Rain Changes To Snow

MASSACHUSETTS — If you woke up to rain Monday and wondered why school districts from Worcester to Andover had canceled school, you may get your answer later today.

The potentially most severe snowstorm of the 2022-23 winter will be seen across the state by Monday afternoon, according to forecasts. By then a large area from Worcester to Boston and north to the New Hampshire border will have picked up several inches during a storm whose track changed drastically over the weekend.

By 1 p.m. Monday, widespread snowfall will be visible across the state from Norfolk County north and west. That means heavy snow will impact school buses transporting students home — and the evening rush hour commute after that. Snow will continue through the evening, ending in Worcester possibly by 4 or 5 p.m.

"Moderate to heavy snow at times this afternoon, impacting the late day commute, with snow covered roads," the weather service predicted early Monday.

MassDOT warned drivers across the state to take precautions Monday as rain gives way to snow.

"The storm system is then forecast to push south and eastward in the state on Monday with the precipitation gradually diminishing from west to east Monday night. MassDOT advises drivers to get updated forecasts for travel late Monday and Monday night as a wintry mix of rain and snow will impact travel, especially on any untreated roadways," the agency said in a travel advisory.

The northern parts of the state were already seeing heavy, wet snow early Monday morning. There were thousands of power outages scattered across Worcester and Franklin counties — a possible preview as the storm tracks east.

A wide area of the state from Brockton to Lawrence and west to Worcester will be under a winter weather advisory into Tuesday, with forecasters warning of up to 4 inches of snow — but possibly higher localized totals — and wind gusts up to 35 mph.

There's also a coastal flood advisory for shoreline areas in Essex County, Boston and down through Cape Cod.

On Monday morning, more than 70 schools and districts in Massachusetts had either canceled classes or were planning early dismissals, including Worcester, Lowell, Marlborough and Milford.