Heavy Snow — Northwest Middlesex County, Massachusetts

2023-03-13 to 2023-03-15 · Northwest Middlesex County, Massachusetts

Event narrative

Very heavy snow ranging from 15 to 30 inches fell in northwest Middlesex County. Some specific amounts included 30.0 inches in Ashby and 14.9 inches in Pepperell, both from trained spotters. In Ashby at 1030 AM on the 14th, Fire Dept. officials reported a large tree down on Rindge Road; multiple trees and wires down on Mason Road, Greenville Road near Foster Road, an Fitchburg State Road. The report was relayed by amateur radio. In Townsend at 1130 AM on the 14th, a tree was down on Route 13 near Elm Circle; multiple trees and wires were down on Brookline Street and Fitchburg Road; a large tree was down on Meadow Road and Brookline Street; trees and wires were down on Linden Street.

Wider weather episode

Strong low pressure meandered just off the southeast coast of New England from late on the 13th to early on the 15th, before moving eastward and farther offshore. In its wake, it produced 2 to 3+ feet in northern and western MA. Lesser amounts of 6-12 were common over interior lower elevations. In eastern CT, RI and eastern MA, a coating to 2 inches were common, as precipitation type was mainly wet snow and rain.

Source: NOAA Storm Events Database, event_id 1083925. Narrative written by the NWS forecast office that issued the report.