The zero hour approaches for the “least snowiest winter on record,” as a major winter storm heads east, promising an unweelcomed buffet of rain, wind, ice, and heavy, wet snow.
According to Weather.gov, the storm is expected to arrive on Saturday night, and kick into high gear from midnight until about 7 a.m. Sunday. Then it is supposed to be wicked cold. Temperatures on Sunday night are expected to bottom out at about 6 degrees. The mercury will leap up to a high of 11 degrees on Monday.
Experts predict a miserable mix of snow, freezing rain, and sleet before 1 p.m., before returning to snowfall. Cape Cod and the Islands might get a dusting while Plymouth to Providence (Boston included) is expected to get 4”-8”. Western Mass could potentially get 14”. The Berkshires and all of central/northern New England is expected to take the brunt of the blizzard with the chance of getting two feet of snow.
The Blood Wolf Moon will make for higher-than-usual high tides, with the chance of minor to moderate coastal flooding. This storm shouldn’t impact The Women’s March on Saturday or the AFC Championship game between the Patriots and the Chiefs in Kansas City on Sunday.
However, officials at Logan Airport are suggesting that travelers check their flight information before heading to East Boston. Some airlines have already canceled flights, and are waiving fees for travelers planning to fly on Sunday:
American Airlines is offering travelers scheduled to fly Jan. 19-20 the chance to reschedule their flights at Boston, Manchester or Worcester without a change fee if the passenger booked their ticket before Jan. 16, and is willing to fly between Jan. 16-23.
Delta is encouraging passengers to use their Flight Status Notifications.
Frontier is offering passengers traveling to and from Providence from Jan. 17 to 20 one itinerary change without fees.
JetBlue is waiving their change/cancel fees and fare differences for passengers flying between Jan. 19 to 20 at certain airports, including Logan, Providence and Worcester.
Southwest is offering passengers the chance to rebook the same trip within 14 days of their original travel dates for about 25 cities free of travel fare from Jan. 18 to 21 for Logan, Manchester and Providence.
Spirit Airlines is waiving their modification charge and fare difference through Jan. 23.
United Airlines is waiving change fees and fare differences for Logan, Manchester and Providence travelers flying from Jan.19 to 20.
Lastly, always shovel out your fire hydrants.
