'Significant Coastal Storm' Likely for Saturday

Subscribe to North Andover news alerts.

By Les Masterson (Patch Staff)

A “significant coastal storm” is likely going to hit Massachusetts on Saturday and into Saturday night, according to the National Weather Service.

The National Weather Service said there is still uncertainty about whether it will be rain, snow or a mix and how much precipitation will fall.

“The greatest threat for heavy wet snow appears to be near the I-95 corridor,” said the NWS. “But this area is also very close to the rain/snow line. If the track shifts a bit further west... this area could end up with mainly rain with snow further back into the interior.”

A track that is further east ”would result in a higher risk for wet snow across the Cape and Islands” and possibly no snow for northwest Massachusetts.

7News’ Jeremy Reiner said about the possible Saturday storm: “This storm will be a fast mover but also starting in the Gulf of Mexico. That means a brief but intense thump of snow is possible Saturday afternoon-evening. The exact track isn’t known so rain/snow lines or the amount of snow isn’t known either but a plowable snow does appear possible for metro Boston late day Saturday. ”

The NWS said there could be downed tree limbs/isolated power outages if heavy wet snow falls on the area on Saturday.