MA Weather: Updated Snow Forecast Has Less Snow, More Rain

Several hours after the National Weather Service released its first estimated snow totals map for this weekend's major storm, the government agency released an adjusted map with reduced snow totals and more rain. The map still shows up to a foot of snow for some of Eastern Mass. and up to 2 feet in the western part of the state.

Any fear of getting 2 feet in Central and Eastern Mass. were put to rest has 4-6 inches around Boston and 6-8 inches around Worcester. North of Boston could still see between 6-12 inches, and south of the city is still looking at 4-6. It's a far car from the 18-24 inches that were threatening parts of the Merrimack Valley and 8-12 inches that were threatening Boston in the earlier forecast.

That might not mean less precipitation, though. The NWS warned that most of the state will indeed see heavy snow, but that it will morph into freezing rain and sleet. A winter storm watch is in effect for much of the state.

As New Englanders know, snow forecasts usually fly all over the place, sometimes until well into the storm itself. With the storm still some 48 hours away from starting, it could always change again.

Here is the updated forecast:

It will be the first major snow of winter. Boston has received just 0.2 inches of snow since Oct. 1.

There will be snow Friday, too, but that should be capped at 1-3 inches, with the highest amounts coming in Central and Western Mass.

Patch will have an updated list of school closings Monday as they come. Subscribe to your local Patch for more storm information.

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