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Blizzard warning expanded, storm to pick up overnight

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FROM FOX 25 CHIEF METEOROLOGIST KEVIN LEMANOWICZ

BLIZZARD WARNING

Most of Plymouth County (South Shore) & Cape Cod as well as eastern Essex County (North Shore) until 11 a.m. Friday

Heavy snow and strong winds will create near zero visibility and blowing and drifting snow

WINTER STORM WARNING

All of southern New England

Until 10 a.m. Friday

8"-12" snow inland with 10"-14" in eastern Massachusetts… wouldn't shock us to see some towns coming in with even more, but this should capture most towns.

COASTAL FLOOD WARNING

All of the eastern Massachusetts coastline

Until 3 p.m. Friday

Critical High Tides will be from 10 p.m. to 2 a.m. Thursday night/Friday morning and 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Friday morning/afternoon

The fluff factor is huge in this storm! Arctic air and falling snow makes big piles of snow. Totals on the north shore by 4 p.m. were already up to 8" in many towns.

The worst of the snow and wind will develop tonight, most intense 7 p.m. to 7 a.m. The overnight will bring snowfall rates of 1"-2" of snow per hour at times! It will also become bitterly cold with lows in the single digits. Although southeastern Massachusetts won't be as cold, lows in the 20s will lend to a total snow event. The snow will be fluffiest inland and a little denser on the Cape, which is why the "jackpot" should stretch from the North Shore to Boston to the South Shore and back into Metro West.

The blizzard headlines are due to dramatic reductions in visibility and blowing and drifting snow. The definition requires sustained wind or frequent gusts to 35 mph reducing visibility to near zero (white-out conditions). The South Shore and Cape will get slammed worst of all overnight. It will be extremely difficult to navigate the local roadways.

If you're a fan of the hour by hour snow maps, use caution! The models are having a tough time grasping the enhancement by onshore winds and the extreme cold. Both things will bump up the accumulation.

Snow will still be heavy at 7 a.m. Friday morning and gradually lighten up through 10 a.m. After that, snow showers will taper off by 1 p.m. Ocean effect snow may continue until 4 or 5 p.m. on the Cape Friday.

Coastal concerns are focused around the 11 a.m. high tide Thursday and the midnight and noon high tides Friday. Widespread minor coastal flooding and areas of moderate flooding are anticipated, especially Boston and south. Prone coastal roads will be flooded and some homes impacted. The worst of the flooding will likely take place midday Friday. Major flooding is possible in Sandwich and Scituate midday Friday. Erosion will be monitored closely on eastern Nantucket.

Frigid weather will arrive immediately following the nor'easter. Cleanup efforts tomorrow will be done to wind chills in the -15 to 0 range. Residents must be very careful to avoid frostbite and over exposure. Friday's highs will be in the teens. Even though kids will be home, outside play should be strictly limited or discourage for safety reasons. Subzero temps will be in place Saturday morning with wind chills up to -20! Please be safe in such cold.