Massachusetts Snowfall Updates: Over 20 Inches from Recent Winter Storms

National Weather Service Reports Updated Snowfall Totals from Recent Massachusetts Storms

The National Weather Service has released updated snowfall reports detailing the impact of recent winter storms across Massachusetts, revealing significant snow accumulation especially from a major two-day storm that ended Monday night.

A highly anticipated winter storm brought over 18 inches of snow to Boston by Monday morning, marking the largest snowfall for the city in nearly four years. Throughout Massachusetts, snow totals surpassed 20 inches in many locations, reflecting the storm's severity. Earlier coastal storm activity on Sunday produced minor snowfall and coastal flooding primarily affecting areas like Cape Cod and the Islands.

Key Points

• A two-day winter storm dropped more than 20 inches of snow across much of Massachusetts by Monday night, with Gloucester receiving the highest total at 27.0 inches.
• Boston recorded 23.2 inches of snow at Logan Airport, the most in the city since February 2022.
• Sunday’s coastal storm caused minor coastal flooding and wind gusts up to 60 mph on Nantucket while most of the state remained unaffected.
• Snowfall from the nor’easter ranged from 1-3 inches in southern coastal regions including the South Shore, Cape Ann, Cape Cod, and the Islands.
• Wind chills reached below zero in many locations with sustained winds of 30-40 mph in Boston and gusts of 50-60 mph on Nantucket amid high tide astronomical surges linked to the recent full moon.

Extensive Snowfall Across Massachusetts

The strongest winter storm impacting Massachusetts in years culminated by Monday night, delivering extraordinary snow totals across a wide geographic area. The National Weather Service, in coordination with SKYWARN and local weather watchers, documented snowfall exceeding 20 inches at numerous sites. Notables include:

• Gloucester: 27.0 inches
• Ipswich & Princeton: 26.0 inches each
• Milton: 25.3 inches
• Boston (Logan Airport): 23.2 inches
• Worcester: 22.4 inches
• Multiple other towns reporting between 20-24 inches (e.g., Sterling, Leicester, Dorchester, Waltham, Auburn, Weymouth)

This widespread heavy snow surpassed typical accumulation levels and demonstrated the storm's intensity, substantially exceeding normal January snowfall and producing hazardous winter conditions.

Impact of Sunday’s Coastal Storm

Prior to the major snowfall, a coastal storm on Sunday brought wind and minor flooding impacts primarily to the Cape and Islands regions. Nantucket experienced wind gusts up to 60 mph, and minor coastal flooding occurred at times of high tide, exacerbated by frozen drainage issues. Snowfall totals on Sunday remained low across affected areas, with Gloucester reporting 2.5 inches and other nearby towns recording up to 2 inches.

In contrast, most of Massachusetts saw no effects from this storm, which was relatively benign compared to last week’s significant statewide snowstorm. Nevertheless, temperatures remained well below average for late January, contributing to hazardous conditions and sustained cold.

Wind and Coastal Conditions

Following the storms, gusty northerly winds persisted with speeds ranging from 30-40 mph in Boston and higher gusts along the coast. These winds intensified wind chills to below zero in many locations. Ocean wave heights offshore reached 10-15 feet, slowly subsiding by Monday night. The combination of high tide cycles and coastal surge raised concerns for intermittent flooding on Sunday and Monday afternoons, particularly in areas prone to frozen drainage.

Short Term Outlook

Looking ahead, meteorological forecasts indicate a break from major storms with temperatures possibly reaching or exceeding freezing around Groundhog Day for the first time since January 23. The 10-day outlook projects no significant winter storms, suggesting a temporary reprieve from the heavy snow events affecting the region over the past week.

The recent storms have resulted in some of the highest snowfall accumulations Massachusetts has seen in years, particularly impacting Boston and central parts of the state with over 20 inches of snow. Coastal areas dealt with wind and minor flooding issues amid cold temperatures and astronomical tides. These events highlight the ongoing challenges the region faces during the winter season.