Relentless march of winter continues
I don’t know about the rest of The Tech’s readership, but this meteorologist is ready to pack up and move to Florida! So far this winter, Logan Airport has received an incredible 96.3 inches of snow (244.6 cm), 90.8 inches (230.6 cm) of which has fallen since Jan. 23. Currently, Boston is only 11.3 inches (28.7 cm) away from tying the all-time total seasonal snowfall record of 107.6 inches (273.3 cm) set in the winter of 1995-1996 – a record that could very well be broken before the end of the month. As if the historic snowfall wasn’t enough, Boston has also endured near-record setting cold. So far this February, the average temperature has been a bone-chilling 18.1°F (-7.7°C), only 0.6°F (0.4°C) warmer than the all-time coldest average February temperature of 17.5°F (-8.1°C) set back in February of 1934.
If you were hoping for springtime warmth any time soon, I have bad news for you: the active pattern that has brought us so much cold and snow over the past few weeks shows no sign of abating. Today, there is a chance of snow showers through this afternoon as a low pressure system passes offshore. As the low moves up and away from our region, strong northwest winds will usher in bitterly cold Arctic air tonight and tomorrow. Bundle up, because wind chills tomorrow morning will approach -20°F (-29°C).
Looking toward the weekend, a long-duration mixed precipitation event looks likely Saturday night into Sunday. Should the storm take a more westerly track, Boston would be in a region of relatively warm southerly winds, which would make for a rainier event, followed by a shot of cold air early next week. If the storm were to take a more easterly, colder track, Boston would experience snow followed by a period of freezing rain. Whatever the outcome, one thing is for certain — Old Man Winter is not done with us yet!